Lucknow (BTI)- A massive controversy has once again erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, over the painting of a mosque, with the situation showing signs of deteriorating further. Following an order from the Allahabad High Court, the path for the mosque’s renovation and repainting was cleared. However, reports emerged suggesting that the mosque would be painted green, prompting strong objections from local Hindu organizations. These groups directly approached the District Magistrate (DM) and submitted a memorandum demanding that the so-called mosque not be painted green.
Hindu organizations have demanded that it be painted saffron instead, asserting that the site was originally an ancient Harihar temple and a significant Hindu pilgrimage center. They claim it was historically a temple, not a mosque, and this has become the basis for their strong opposition to painting it green. According to the Hindu side, the Harihar temple was a major Hindu religious site that came under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) after independence. They allege that during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure, people associated with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and certain anarchist elements forcibly expelled ASI officials, took control of the site, and converted it into a mosque.
The public reaction in Sambhal aligns with the view that, legally, the site does not belong to any specific community or society at present and remains entirely under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. They argue that it was forcibly occupied and given the appearance of a mosque, a claim they say can no longer be accepted. The Hindu side firmly believes that since it is a Hindu temple, it should be painted saffron. The issue has led to heightened tension in the area. Meanwhile, some locals have suggested a middle ground, proposing that neither green nor saffron be used and that the structure be painted white to maintain peace.
Notably, on March 4, 2025, the matter was heard again in the High Court. During the hearing, the court recorded the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid as a “disputed structure.” Hindu side lawyer Hari Shankar Jain argued in court, saying, “If they (the Muslim side) call it a mosque, we will call it a temple. Even in the Ram Mandir case, it (Babri Masjid) was referred to as a disputed structure.” Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal responded, “We will see,” and scheduled the next hearing for March 10, 2025. However, the hearing did not take place on that date.
The Hindu side claims that “it was originally a Harihar temple, which was demolished by Babur in 1529 and converted into a mosque.” A petition regarding this was filed in the Sambhal court on November 19, 2024. On the same day, Civil Judge Senior Division Aditya Singh ordered a survey inside the mosque.
This translation incorporates the current date (March 15, 2025) and updates the timeline accordingly while maintaining the essence of the original text.
