ASI begins assessment for whitewashing of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal
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Sambhal: An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team conducted measurements and assessments on Thursday ahead of the planned whitewashing and renovation of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, officials confirmed.
The development follows an Allahabad High Court directive ordering the ASI to complete the mosque’s whitewashing within a week.
Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid committee, stated that a team from ASI’s Meerut division was surveying the site to determine the scope of work and prepare an estimate. "We are fully cooperating with the team, and there are no issues. The painting work will begin soon. They have taken the measurements, and once approval is granted, the work will commence," he said.
Ali added that if the approval is received on Thursday itself, the painting might start immediately. However, due to Holi, any delay in approval would mean the work would begin the following day. The exact area to be painted is still being calculated.
The mosque committee will oversee the painting process under the ASI’s protection and guidelines.
On Monday, the Allahabad High Court had instructed ASI’s counsel to clarify what harm whitewashing the mosque’s outer walls would cause. During the hearing, SFA Naqvi, counsel for the mosque committee, argued that ASI had not stated in its affidavit any opposition to whitewashing, extra lighting, or decorative light installations outside the disputed structure. He also presented color photographs of the mosque’s exterior, highlighting the need for whitewashing.
The Shahi Jama Masjid has been at the center of controversy since November 24 last year, when riots erupted in Sambhal amid protests against a court-ordered ASI survey. The survey followed claims that the mosque was built over the ruins of a Hindu temple allegedly destroyed during the Mughal era.
The protest escalated into violent clashes between residents and police, prompting authorities to use tear gas and other crowd-control measures. The violence resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries.
With PTI inputs
