The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday adjourned till March 10 the hearing on the whitewashing of Jama Masjid in Sambhal.
On February 28, the court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the mosque's premises but did not pass an order for its whitewashing.
When the matter was taken up on Tuesday, the counsel for the Masjid Committee informed the court that he has filed his objection to the report of the Archaeological Survey of India on which the ASI counsel has sought time to file a reply.
The counsel for the Masjid Committee also said that in pursuance of an earlier order of the court, the cleaning work is going on under the supervision of the ASI.
Also read: UP govt accuses Sambhal mosque of land encroachment in SC
The dispute arose after Hindu petitioners alleged that the 16th-century mosque was built over a Hindu temple. The mosque authorities had submitted Google Maps images to argue that the well was located within the mosque complex.
However, the government contends that the well is a public resource, historically accessible to all communities, and is not situated inside the mosque premises.
According to the government, the well is one of 19 ancient wells in Sambhal being revived for rainwater harvesting and water conservation. The administration believes that restoring these wells has cultural significance and could also boost tourism in the region.
It further asserted that the mosque committee's legal challenge is not only obstructing the revival process but is also detrimental to the development and environmental conservation of the area.
Follow us
