In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, following the controversy surrounding the Shah Jahan Mosque, a new dispute has emerged regarding the Atala Mosque in Jaunpur. This issue has now escalated to the Allahabad High Court, where a hearing is scheduled for Monday.
According to a report by News 18, the case revolves around a petition filed concerning the Atala Mosque, and the Suraj Wahini organization is expected to present its response during the hearing, claiming that the site is a temple rather than a mosque.
The petition challenging the district judge’s order in Jaunpur has been filed by the Atala Mosque’s Waqf Committee. This petition contests the ruling issued by the district judge on August 12 of this year, which upheld the continuation of the case filed in the Jaunpur District Court. Prior to this, on May 29, the civil judge of the Jaunpur District Court had accepted the case and ordered the commencement of hearings. The Muslim party has challenged both the May 29 and August 12 orders in their petition to the High Court.
It is noteworthy that Santosh Kumar Mishra, the state president of the Suraj Wahini Association, filed a lawsuit in the Jaunpur District Court, claiming that the Atala Mosque was constructed after demolishing a temple. He asserted that the site where the mosque stands was previously home to the Atala Devi temple. Historical records indicate that this temple was built in the 13th century by King Vijay Chandra. However, after seizing Jaunpur, Firoz Shah Tughlaq demolished the temple and constructed a mosque in its place.
In the petition submitted by the Suraj Wahini Association, the Atala Mosque is referred to as the Atala Devi temple, and they are demanding permission for worship at the site. The case will be heard by a single bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, who will review the arguments presented by both parties. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the ongoing disputes over religious sites in the region.
