Sambhal Mosque In Good Condition, No Urgency For Repainting; Repair Work Has Altered Historic Structure: ASI To Allahabad HC

Following the Thursday directions of the Allahabad High Court, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) today submitted an inspection report stating that the Shahi Jama Mosque in Sambhal as a whole is in good condition, and there is no urgency of repainting. 

The ASI's report has however stated that the Masjid Committee has undertaken several works of repair and renovation in the mosque resulting into addition and alteration of the historic structure. 

"The floor of the monument has been completely replaced by tiles and stones. The interior of the mosque has been painted with thick layers of enamel paint of sharp colours like golden, red, green and yellow concealing the original surface of the monument" the report filed by a three-memebr committee has stated.

The report adds that the at the west and north sides of the mosque, several small chambers exist which are used for storage by the mosque management and the same are in dilapidated condition, with ceilings supported by vulnerable wooden shingles.

The ASI has also submitted to the Court that modern work/intervention that occurred in the mosque premises needs to be identified thoroughly by the Conservation and science wing of the ASI to bring the monument into its original fabric.

Meanwhile, the ASI has stated in its report that detailed items of work would be identified and documented by the ASI Meerut Circle to prepare estimates so that urgent conservation and repair work may be undertaken.

As far as day-to-day maintenance, such as cleaning, removal of dust and removal of vegetation growth in and around the monument, etc., are concerned, the ASI has informed the Court that it shall undertake the said work, provided the Masjid committee doesn't put any hindrance and cooperates ASI in doing the same.

Taking into account the report of the ASI and on the mosque management committee's insistence that whitewashing is necessary and that the ASI report is incorrect, a bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal today granted the committee time until Tuesday to file its response or objections to the ASI report.

In the meantime, the court has ordered the cleaning of the mosque premises, including the removal of dust and vegetation both inside and around the area.

Before the Court, Senior Counsel SFA Naqvi, representing the Management Committee, argued that the ASI was unnecessarily objecting to the whitewashing work despite the fact that it was the ASI's responsibility to carry out such work. In response, the ASI's counsel, Advocate Manoj Kumar Singh, stated that ASI officials were not being allowed access to the mosque premises by the committee officials.