Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal (UP) does not need painting

Archaeology Department submits report to Allahabad High Court
Mosque Committee had demanded painting on the occasion of Ramzan

Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh)

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) – The Allahabad High Court on Friday gave permission to clean the premises of Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district but ruled out painting or whitewashing of the structure, as demanded by the mosque committee.

This comes after the report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had stated that painting or whitewashing is not required. The mosque committee is set to file objections on the ASI report. The next hearing has been scheduled on 4^thMarch.

No need for repainting of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh)! – Archaeology Department submits report in the Allahabad High Court.

The mosque committee had requested repainting for Ramadan.

Several alterations were made in the mosque without the approval of the… pic.twitter.com/CFtcRuN6ln

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 28, 2025

Earlier the mosque committee had approached the high court seeking permission for painting or whitewashing of Shahi Jama Masjid ahead of Ramzan.

1. As per the High Court order, a team of the Archaeological Department comprising Joint Director of the Archaeological Department Madan Singh Chauhan, Director of Monuments Zulfiqar Ali and Archaeologist Vinod Singh Rawat visited the mosque late in the evening of 27^thFebruary and inspected it. The report of this inspection was submitted to the court on 28^thFebruary.

2. On 22^ndDecember, 1920, the Sambhal Jama Masjid was declared ‘protected’ under the ‘Preservation of Ancient Monuments Act, 1904’ vide ‘Notification No. 1645/1133-M’.

3. As per the court order, the Archaeological Department will carry out regular cleaning of the mosque, dust removal and removal of surrounding vegetation. For this, the Mosque Committee has been directed not to create any hindrance and to cooperate fully.

Many changes were made to the mosque without the permission of the Archaeological Department

The inspection of the Archaeological Department revealed that the mosque committee had already carried out repair and restoration work, due to which many changes have been made to the historical structure. The floor of the mosque has been completely replaced with tiles and stones. The interior of the mosque has been painted thickly in gold, red, green and yellow, which has covered the original surface. The interior paint of the mosque is in good condition and does not require immediate repair. However, the paint has come off in some places outside; but the situation is not so serious that something needs to be done immediately. The small rooms on the north and west of the mosque, which are being used as ‘stores’, are in a dilapidated condition. In particular, the wooden ceilings of these rooms have weakened and need to be repaired.

Editorial Perspective

The law-abiding public feels that the court should dissolve the mosque committee that made the changes without the permission of the Archaeological Department and order the concerned people to be imprisoned.