On Tuesday, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) restored the original name of the 16th-century Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, changing it back to ‘Juma Masjid’. A new blue signboard has been prepared to replace the old green one that had been there for decades. ASI officials mentioned that a sign identifying the mosque as a protected monument will also be put up soon following a recent legal battle and communal tensions. As per the senior administrative official, "The new blue board is not just a formal identification. It will also communicate to the people that this building is an ASI-protected monument. This step clarifies the historical identity and legal status of the site, which is now under ASI's supervision."

The monument previously had a green signboard that read ‘Shahi jama masjid’. ASI’s lawyer, Vishnu Kumar Sharma, stated, "The masjid is an ASI-protected structure. A few individuals allegedly removed the original ASI board and replaced it with a different one." He also mentioned that the new board uses the name ‘Juma masjid’, which aligns with ASI’s "historical documentation". On the other hand, advocate Tauseef Ahmad, who represents the mosque committee, informed TOI, "The meaning of Juma masjid and Jama masjid is the same. The ASI has changed the colour of the board to blue from green, but it doesn't matter because it will remain our place of worship."

The Shahi Jama Masjid, built in 1526 by Mir Hindu Beg, a noble in Emperor Babur’s court, is among the oldest Mughal-era structures still standing in India. The ASI declared it a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. For years, there have been ongoing claims about the mosque's origins. In an 1879 report, British archaeologist ACL Carlleyle noted that local Hindus believed the mosque was constructed over the Shri Harihar Temple, also known as Hari Mandir.

On November 19, 2024, the Hindu side filed a petition in the Chandausi civil senior division court, claiming that the mosque was originally a temple. The court ordered a site survey, which was carried out in two phases, on November 19 and November 24. During the second phase, violence broke out in the area, resulting in five deaths, several vehicles being set on fire, and injuries to multiple police officers. Over 80 people were arrested, including Zafar Ali, the head of the mosque committee. So far, none of the accused have been granted bail. Acting on the Allahabad High Court’s directions, the ASI later whitewashed the mosque’s outer walls and installed more than 400 LED lights ahead of Ramzan and Eid.