Court to Hear Plea over Sambhal Mosque Row on April 28
A contentious issue that has been simmering in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for a long time is finally set to be heard in court. The Sambhal district court has fixed April 28 as the date for hearing a petition claiming that the Shahi Jama mosque in the city was originally a Harihar Temple. The matter was initially deferred to April 28 by Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh when it came up for hearing on Wednesday.
The petition was initially filed in another court on November 19, 2023, and was subsequently transferred to the Sambhal district court. The petitioner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has claimed that the mosque was built on the site of a 14th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The petitioner has also alleged that the mosque was constructed by demolishing the temple and that the authorities have been trying to hide the truth.
The development comes at a time when communal tensions are running high in the region. The issue of the mosque’s origins has been a contentious one, with both Hindus and Muslims claiming ownership of the site. The mosque has been a central point of worship for the Muslim community in Sambhal for centuries, and any claims that it was built on a Hindu temple site are likely to be met with resistance.
The petition is seeking a court order to conduct an archaeological survey of the mosque site to determine whether the allegations are true. The petitioner has also asked the court to direct the authorities to take measures to preserve the site and prevent any further damage.
The case has sparked widespread interest in the region, with many people taking to social media to express their opinions on the matter. Some have called for a thorough investigation into the allegations, while others have accused the petitioner of trying to spread communal hatred.
The Sambhal police have been maintaining a tight vigil on the mosque site, with additional security measures in place to prevent any untoward incidents. The police have also been conducting regular inspections of the site to ensure that no unauthorized activities are taking place.
The issue of the Shahi Jama mosque’s origins has been a long-standing one, with different communities having different versions of events. While some people claim that the mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Babur in the 16th century, others argue that it was constructed by the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century.
The debate has been further complicated by the fact that there are no concrete records or evidence to support either claim. The mosque’s architecture and design do not provide any clear clues about its origins, leaving historians and archaeologists to piece together fragments of information from various sources.
The Sambhal district court’s decision to hear the petition has sparked hopes that the truth about the mosque’s origins will finally be revealed. The court’s decision to defer the matter to April 28 has given all parties involved a chance to prepare their cases and present their evidence.
As the court prepares to hear the petition, the people of Sambhal are eagerly awaiting the outcome. The case has the potential to have far-reaching consequences, not just for the Muslim community in the region but for the entire country.
Source: https://www.siasat.com/sambhal-mosque-row-court-to-hear-plea-over-temple-claim-on-apr-28-3189908/
