A 45-page long Sambhal mosque survey report was submitted by the advocate commissioner to a local court in Chandausi, Uttar Pradesh after the survey was conducted. Despite the report being undisclosed, petitioners and individuals involved in the survey allege that there is sufficient evidence to conclude the existence of a temple at the now-standing mosque.
The Jama Masjid, a site safeguarded by the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904 is recognised as a monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI). The survey that was conducted on November 19 and 24 was tainted by clashes that broke out after protesters opposed the survey. Locals say a rumour was spread that the ASI team had started to demolish the masjid. In the aftermath of the clashes, five people lost their lives.
Petitioners’ Allegations and Claims
Claim 1:
The petition filed by eight individuals alleges that the mosque stands illegally on the site of Shri Harihar temple which is a centuries-old Hindu shrine dedicated to Kalki.
One of the eight petitioners Hari Shankar Jain claims that the Jama Masjid was constructed over the ruins of a temple dedicated to Lord Kalki.
Claim 02:
According to the petitioner Jain at least 50 floral motifs, symbols and artefacts were discovered during the survey which conclude the existence of a temple. He also noted that the presence of two Banyan trees is also indicative of a temple as they are worshipped in the Hindu religion.
Claim 03:
Some sources alleged that a chandelier hangs from a large doom supported by a chain connected to a wire. According to them, similar chains are hung in temples. They further allege that doors, windows and decorated walls have been painted and plastered time and again and that portions of the original structure have been replaced and signs of new construction have been found in areas where traces of the original structure exist.
Claim 04:
According to the petitioners, Babur, in 1529, demolished Harihar Temple and referenced Baburnama, in his memoir.
The petitioners backed this claim by a report submitted in 1875 by British archaeologist ACL Carlleyle which documented the mosque pillars after their examination. Carlleyle in his report noted the resemblance of the mosque pillars to that of the ancient Hindu temples despite them being hidden under the plaster. The removal of plaster revealed similar columns mentioned by him.
Claim 05:
The petition highlights the importance of Sambhal in Hindu scriptures as the prophesized birthplace of Lord Kalki, the future incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The Muslim Viewpoint
The representative of Shahi Jama Masjid committee advocate Zafar Ali has dismissed all the claims of petitioners stating that there is no historical record or documentation to support their applications. However, he agreed that someone was the capital of Prithviraj Chauhan but not at that this does not prove the existence of the temple. He argued that since independence no such claim has been made and that the temple claim is purely based on rumours and misinformation.
Although some cases were filed in 1877 and 1879 the ruling came in favour of Jama Masjid. Zafar Ali asserted that if a masjid existed, it would have been proved earlier.
