In a key judicial decision, the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the premises of Jama Masjid in Sambhal but refrained from granting permission for whitewashing of the mosque. The order was passed by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal in response to an application filed by the Committee of Management, Jama Masjid, seeking approval for cleaning and whitewashing ahead of Ramzan.

Court's Decision and ASI’s Inspection

The court had earlier directed ASI on Thursday to immediately inspect the mosque site and appoint a three-member team to assess the condition of the structure. The team was instructed to submit its report by 10 am on Friday.

As per the ASI report, the interior of the mosque has ceramic paint, which eliminates the need for whitewashing at present. The report suggested that no urgent renovation work was required but acknowledged the necessity of cleaning the premises.

Arguments Presented in Court

During the Friday hearing, senior advocate S F A Naqvi, representing the mosque committee, argued that their only request was for whitewashing and lighting work in the mosque. However, in light of the ASI’s findings, the court limited its directive to cleaning the dust and removing overgrown grass within the premises.

The advocate general of Uttar Pradesh, representing the state government, assured the court that law and order would be maintained during the cleaning process. Similarly, Naqvi assured that the mosque management would not obstruct the process in any way.

Significance of the Ruling

The court’s decision comes at a time when religious sites across the country undergo maintenance and renovation before significant festivals. The case of Jama Masjid, Sambhal, highlights the legal complexities surrounding the maintenance of religious and historical sites, especially those under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The ASI’s involvement in such cases is crucial as it ensures that any work done on heritage structures does not affect their historical and architectural integrity.

Why Was Whitewashing Denied?

1. ASI’s assessment found that the interior had ceramic paint, making whitewashing unnecessary.
2. The court relied on ASI’s expert evaluation before making its final decision.
3. The ruling focused solely on cleaning measures, ensuring no major modifications were made to the site.

Legal and Social Implications

This decision underscores the importance of court interventions in matters concerning religious sites. While cleaning the premises ensures hygiene and maintenance, restricting whitewashing preserves the historical structure’s authenticity.

The order also highlights the balance courts strive to maintain between cultural heritage conservation and religious practices. It sets a precedent for similar cases where requests for modifications in heritage religious sites arise.

Next Steps

• The ASI will proceed with cleaning the premises as per the court’s directive.
• The report submitted by the ASI team will serve as the basis for any future maintenance work at the Jama Masjid, Sambhal.
• The court’s ruling may influence future cases involving maintenance requests at historical mosques and temples across India.

Final Thoughts

The Allahabad High Court’s decision strikes a balance between religious sentiments and historical conservation. While it allows for cleaning the premises, it ensures that structural modifications do not occur without expert evaluation. This ruling could be referenced in future legal matters related to maintenance requests at protected religious sites.

As Ramzan approaches, the focus now shifts to how ASI executes the cleaning process while maintaining the historical integrity of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal.

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