The Allahabad High Court has given relief to the Muslim side in the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid dispute. The court has approved the request of the mosque committee for whitewashing the outer premises of the mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out this work, and it must be completed within one week.
High Court’s Decision
- Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal’s single bench passed the order.
- The whitewashing will be done only in the outer area of the mosque.
- Earlier, the High Court had already allowed cleaning of the mosque premises, which ASI had completed.
Reaction from the Mosque Committee
- Zafar Ali, the president of the Shahi Jama Masjid Committee, welcomed the High Court’s decision and called it a big victory for the Muslim side.
- He thanked the court for approving their request.
Why Was This Issue in Court?
- The Mosque Committee had earlier objected to ASI’s report, which stated that whitewashing was not necessary at the moment.
- The committee filed a petition, asking for permission for repair work, painting, and lighting in the mosque.
- The Hindu side argued that painting and repairs might damage the structure.
Final Decision
The High Court reviewed the arguments and approved only whitewashing of the outer area, giving the Muslim side a major win in the case.
