Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court today on Friday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the premises of Jama Masjid in Sambhal, as ASI had stated that whitewashing was not needed. The ASI has submitted a report mentioning that the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal does not need whitewashing ahead of Ramadan. In response to the mosque management committee’s claim that whitewashing is essential and the ASI report is inaccurate, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal’s bench granted the committee time until Tuesday to submit its reply or objections to the ASI report. UP Sambhal Mosque: Allahabad High Court orders cleaning of Sambhal Mosque premises as ASI says whitewashing is not needed; Masjid Committee to file objections#Sambhal #sambhalmasjid #allahabadhighcourt pic.twitter.com/t52gsFfSMS — Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) February 28, 2025 The court has directed the cleaning of the mosque premises, including the removal of dust both inside and outside the premises. On Thursday (27 February), the High Court urged the Archaeological Survey of India to do inspection of Mosque to assess the requirement of whitewashing and the repair work ahead of Ramadan. 3-Member Team The Court has asked a 3-member team to visit the mosque, inspect it and submit a report in the Court by tomorrow (28 February). After the dictation of the order, the counsel for the ASI pressed the court to mention that security may be provided to members of the ASI team. The court, however, dismissed the request, stating that it was unnecessary. Arguments By State Govt The order was passed after the Court considered the arguments advanced by the State Government, the Counsel for the ASI and the Counsel for the Management committee, and after taking into account the urgency of the matter, with Ramzan beginning on March 1. Management Committee Plea Before the Court, Senior Counsel SFA Naqvi, representing the Management Committee, argued that the ASI was unnecessarily objecting to the whitewashing work despite the fact that it was the ASI's responsibility to carry out such work. In response, the ASI's counsel, Advocate Manoj Kumar Singh, stated that ASI officials were not being allowed access to the mosque premises by the committee officials. The Committee's application was opposed by Advocate Har Shankar Jain (respondent no. 1) as he submitted that in the garb of whitewashing, the Hindu artefacts allegedly present inside the Mosque would be defaced. To this, the bench assured him it would take care of his concern. A detailed order in the matter is awaited. For context, the Management Committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal, moved the High Court following a response from the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) North Sambhal objecting to its proposal for maintenance work planned for the mosque ahead of the upcoming Ramzan. Essentially, the committee had earlier informed the concerned authorities about its intention to carry out essential maintenance work at the mosque in preparation for the holy month of Ramzan, beginning on March 1, 2025. The planned work includes whitewashing, cleansing, repairing, covering in areas, and installing additional lighting to ensure a smooth experience for devotees during the fasting month. The committee also requested the official authorities that no restrictions be placed on the traditional Azan (call to prayer) and maintenance activities, which they claim, are part of the mosque's regular upkeep. The Allahabad High Court has only allowed cleaning and restricted the whitewashing of the mosque.
