The Allahabad High Court has allowed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to whitewash and decorate the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, as long as no structural changes are made. The court ordered the ASI to complete the work within a week, with the next hearing scheduled for April 8, according to PTI.
The Shahi Jama Masjid is at the center of a legal dispute after Hindu petitioners claimed it was built over a Hindu temple called Hari Mandir. The controversy escalated on November 24, 2024, when a court-ordered survey of the mosque led to violence, leaving four people dead and several injured. The incident deepened communal tensions in the area.
In preparation for Holi on March 14, which coincides with Friday prayers during Ramzan, security has been tightened around the mosque. Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia said extensive measures are in place, including the deployment of several quick-response teams and the creation of multiple security zones. Police and magistrates have been stationed across the district, and surveillance is being conducted using drones and over 250 CCTV cameras.
Controversy has also arisen over comments made by Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary. He suggested that Muslims uncomfortable with Holi celebrations should stay indoors and that while there are 52 Fridays in a year, Holi is celebrated only once. He said those venturing outside should be “big-hearted” and not object if colors fall on them. His remarks have drawn criticism for being insensitive and potentially inflaming communal divisions.
The investigation into the November violence continues, with recent arrests linked to the clashes. Political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, have met with victims’ families, urging the government to ensure justice and maintain communal harmony.
