The Allahabad High Court has designated the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district as a ‘disputed structure’ and has permitted the inscription of this designation on the mosque’s walls. This decision comes after the Muslim committee opposed the whitewashing of the structure. The court has granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) time until March 10 to respond to the objections raised by the Masjid committee.

The dispute revolves around claims that the Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed on the remains of the historic Harihar Temple, which is believed to have originally stood at the site. The Hindu community has challenged a 1927 agreement between the mosque committee and the Government of India regarding the structure’s maintenance and preservation. The issue escalated further when the ASI reported that pressure was being exerted to repaint the mosque’s walls, leading to legal proceedings.

On November 24 last year, the court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid to investigate these claims. This survey led to violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Authorities launched a thorough investigation into the unrest. The controversy gained further traction when, in December, an ancient temple near the mosque was reopened. The temple, which houses a Shivling and an idol of Bhagwan Hanuman, had been closed since 1978 due to communal riots in the area. Officials discovered the temple during an anti-encroachment drive, prompting its reopening and the resumption of religious activities, including a morning aarti.

The Masjid committee raised objections to an ASI report dated February 28, which played a crucial role in the court’s decision to declare the structure as disputed. In response to the committee’s concerns, the High Court has granted the ASI until March 10 to file a detailed reply. The matter remains under judicial review, with the court set to hear further arguments on the case.

The ongoing legal battle over the Shahi Jama Masjid underscores the broader religious and historical tensions in the region. With the Allahabad High Court formally recognising the site as a ‘disputed structure,’ all eyes remain on the upcoming hearing on March 10, which will determine the next course of action in this contentious case. The ASI’s findings and the court’s verdict will likely have significant implications for both communities involved.