Sambhal Jama Masjid Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has allowed the Committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal to paint the outer walls of the mosque. The court partially accepted the application of the Masjid Committee and ordered that the painting could only be done on the outer walls of the mosque. Apart from this, the High Court said that lighting can also be installed on the outer walls, but the structure should not be damaged in this work.
On what basis was this order given?
The Masjid Committee filed this petition in the Allahabad High Court, seeking permission to paint the mosque. A single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Aggarwal ordered the completion of the work within a week and directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to ensure that. This order is based on the argument that the outer walls of a mosque can be beautified, provided that no structural changes are made or no historical structure is damaged.
The hearing took place in the Allahabad High Court.
The petition demanding painting of Jama Masjid at Sambhal was heard in the Allahabad High Court last Monday. The High Court postponed the hearing till 12 March. The ASI filed an inquiry report following the court order. In this report, ASI said that there is no need for painting in the mosque, yes, it can be cleaned.
On which the court directed the ASI to clean the mosque and remove the grown bushes. The Muslim side took time to object to the ASI investigation report. The Hindu side also took time to file an affidavit. During the hearing today, the court ordered the ASI to dye-painting and lighting the mosque within seven days.
