Supreme Court Halts Sambhal Mosque Survey, Urges for Peace
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered a stay on the survey of the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, directing the mosque’s management committee to challenge the trial court’s order in the Allahabad High Court. The survey was initiated following claims by Hindu petitioners that the mosque was constructed on the site of a Hindu temple. In its ruling, the apex court stressed the importance of maintaining peace and harmony, halting any further action by the trial court until the High Court evaluates the matter.
“Peace and harmony must be safeguarded. The court must remain neutral to prevent any unfortunate incidents,” said Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna during the proceedings.
The Supreme Court also instructed the Allahabad High Court to address the mosque committee’s petition within three working days of its filing and put on hold the trial court’s scheduled proceedings for January 8 until the High Court makes a decision.
Violence Erupts in Sambhal Over Survey
The order to conduct the survey earlier this week led to violent protests in Sambhal, resulting in fatalities and injuries to more than 30 police officers. The unrest began when a crowd gathered near the mosque to block the survey team from proceeding. Protesters threw stones at police, and over ten vehicles were set on fire. Authorities responded by deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds.
In the wake of the violence, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member judicial inquiry commission to investigate the incident, with a two-month deadline for submitting its findings.
Security and Preparations for Friday Prayers
Security in Sambhal has been heightened ahead of Friday prayers and the upcoming submission of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report to the trial court. Additional law enforcement has been stationed in the area to prevent any further unrest during this tense period.
Political Reactions and Legal Demands
Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq, representing Sambhal, praised the Supreme Court’s decision as a vital step toward restoring communal harmony. Barq, one of the 400 people charged in connection with the violence, has announced plans to petition the Supreme Court for an independent inquiry led by a sitting judge.
The Roots of the Controversy
The dispute surrounding the mosque began when advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain and others filed a petition claiming the Shahi Idgah Masjid was built over a temple dedicated to Lord Kalki during Babur’s invasion in the 16th century. The petition cites historical records like the Baburnamah and Ain-e-Akbari to support this claim.
The petitioners allege that the temple, supposedly constructed by the mythical figure Vishwakarma, was destroyed and converted into a mosque as a symbol of Islamic dominance. They also accuse the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of neglecting its responsibility to protect the site under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
In response, the petitioners demanded unrestricted access to the mosque, asserting their right to worship at the site. This prompted the trial court to order the survey on November 19, 2024. The survey was conducted that same day, though it faced criticism from the Muslim community, which viewed the order as judicial overreach. They cited the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which mandates the preservation of religious sites as they existed on August 15, 1947.
A Divisive Issue in India’s Religious Landscape
The ongoing legal battle has ignited a larger debate over religious coexistence and the preservation of India’s historical and religious heritage. As the case progresses, the nation awaits the High Court’s decision, which is expected to have far-reaching consequences for both religious harmony and the interpretation of India’s historical sites.
