UP’s Sambhal district on edge after ‘hurried’ survey of Shahi Jama Masjid on court’s order

After hearing the arguments for the next three hours, the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh directed Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Chand Raghav to carry out an initial survey of the mosque site to see if a temple existed there and sought the survey report by November 29.

By 6.15 pm Tuesday, the advocate commissioner and a team comprising members of the managing committee of the Jama Masjid, the petitioner, and local officials reached the mosque to carry out the survey.

As words spread, hundreds of people belonging to the Muslim community reached the mosque. Apprehending trouble, the place was soon fortified into a high-security zone with a large presence of police personnel.

At one point, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya, and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar were seen asking Muslim clerics to urge people to stay calm and peaceful. “The initial survey was conducted at Shahi Jama Masjid per the court directives. We are ready with our arrangements if a second survey is conducted at the site before November 29, the next date of the hearing in the case,” said Pensiya.

“We are in touch with local Muslim leaders and clerics, and they have all agreed that communal harmony of the district will not be disturbed. I have directed that those found spreading rumorsthrough social media platforms or in any way will face legal action,” the DM added.

“Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure peace in the district. A large number of policemen have been deployed around the mosque to prevent the possibility of any trouble,” said police chief Kumar.

Reacting to the survey of the Jama Masjid, Samajwadi party MP from Sambhal Zia-Ur-Rehman Birk said: “The outsiders have tried to disturb the communal harmony of the district by moving a petition of such a nature in the court. The Supreme Court has already said that as per the Worship Act of 1991, all religious places that were in existence in 1947 will remain at their places. Jama Masjid in Sambhal is a historical place where Muslims have been offering prayers for the last several centuries. We have the right to move the High Court if we do not get a satisfactory order from the local court.”

The lawyer for the Jama Masjid, Zafar Ali, said the survey was conducted very hurriedly despite the fact that the court ordered submission of the report by November 29. “We will challenge the local court’s order in the High Court, if need so,” said Ali.

Meanwhile, Giri, the mahant of Kalki Devi Temple, claimed that he has evidence to show that Harihar temple was demolished to build Jama Masjid in 1526.