A significant development has emerged from Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where the court has directed a survey of the Jamia Masjid. The Hindu side has claimed that the land on which the mosque stands was originally a temple, specifically the Shri Hari Har Mandir.
According to a report by Indian media outlet News 18 on Tuesday, this claim has sparked a legal battle in the area as the dispute over the mosque’s location intensifies. The petition was filed by Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who shared this update on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
In his petition, Jain has argued that a temple existed at the location of the Jamia Masjid and that it was destroyed during the construction of the mosque. The court, after reviewing the case, instructed the commissioner to conduct a survey of the historical Jamia Masjid in Sambhal to ascertain the truth of these claims. This marks another chapter in the ongoing legal disputes over religious structures in India, following similar controversies in Kashi and Mathura, which have already reached the courts.
The claimants from the Hindu side argue that the site was once home to a Vishnu temple, known as Hari Har Mandir. The court’s order for a survey has appointed an advocate commissioner to visit the site, perform the necessary investigation, and present a detailed report. This is the third such case after the disputes over Kashi and Mathura, both of which also involve similar allegations regarding mosques allegedly being built over ancient temples.
The Jamia Masjid in Sambhal is a centuries-old structure, built in 1528 by Mir Baig under the orders of Mughal Emperor Babur. The controversy surrounding this mosque is rooted in claims that the temple of Hari Har, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was demolished during the construction of the mosque. In response to these claims, a petition was filed seeking a survey of the site, and the court’s decision to conduct a survey brings more scrutiny to this historical dispute.
As per Indian media reports, the court’s directive for a survey has sparked a renewed debate on the issue of religious sites in India. The decision could have broader implications for other similar disputes across the country. The ongoing case in Sambhal is now expected to further fuel discussions regarding the preservation of religious heritage and the legal ownership of such sites. The final survey report may hold the key to resolving this controversial matter.
