Sambhal violence: ASI Seeks Control of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal Amid Court Dispute

Sambhal violence: ASI Seeks Control: In a legal maneuver, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has filed a petition in court for the takeover and administration of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which is a heritage site protected as a mosque built during the Mughal period. The court had earlier given permission for a survey of the mosque, but the management committee of the mosque and locals were opposed to the survey by ASI.

ASI Raises Concerns Over Unauthorized Changes

ASI lawyer Vishnu Sharma argued that the mosque management committee had undertaken unauthorized changes and that, in January 2018, steel railings were installed on the steps of the mosque. It had filed an FIR against the committee as no permission was received. The ASI has repeatedly said that the mosque cannot carry out any alterations without its approval since it has been a protected monument under its authority since 1920.

Stances by ASI on Public Access and Management

The ASI has also claimed that there should be public access allowed to the Shahi Jama Masjid under ASI directives. The agency fears the changes made by the management committee are illegal and threatening to the heritage site from all conservational aspects.

Violence While Court-Ordered Survey Is Done

Violences erupted in Sambhal on November 24 as a result of the court-directed survey of Shahi Jama Masjid. The four persons lost their lives, while several others suffered injuries in the violence. A three-member judicial commission has been formed to investigate the violence. It has been tasked with deciding whether the violence was spontaneous or it was a result of some preconceived conspiracy and assessing the preparedness of the police and the administration in handling such situations.

Investigation into Clashes and Future Preventive Measures

The judicial commission, consisting of retired Allahabad High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora, ex-IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad, and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain, will investigate the causes of the violence and suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The commission has been given two months to complete its probe, and if it requires an extension, it will have to seek the government's permission.