Page 3 - Mosques

Sambhal mosque row: ASI seeks control, management of Mughal-era structure

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted its response in a court -- which had allowed a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid here -- seeking control and management of the Mughal-era mosque as it is a protected heritage structure. Representing the ASI, lawyer Vishnu Sharma said the agency submitted its counterargument in the court on Friday, stating that it faced resistance from the mosque's management committee and locals in conducting surveys of the site. He said the ASI also highlighted an incident from January 19, 2018, when an FIR was filed against the mosque's management committee for installing steel railings on the mosque's steps without proper authorisation. The mosque, notified as an ASI-protected monument in 1920, is under the purview of the agency and as such, public access to the structure should be permitted, provided it adheres to ASI regulations, Sharma said. The ASI argued that control and management of the monument, including any structural modifications,

Judicial panel members may reach Sambhal today to probe Nov 24 violence

Two members of a three-member judicial commission formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the November 24 violence in Sambhal reached Moradabad on Saturday, and are likely to visit the violence-hit town on Sunday, officials said. Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said, "Two members of the commission reached here on Saturday. The third member will join them on Sunday as they head to Sambhal." However, Singh did not identify the members who reached Moradabad on Saturday. Violence erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid there, killing four persons and injuring many others. The survey was linked to a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site of the mosque. The commission formed via a notification on November 28 has been directed to complete its probe within two months. Any extension of this timeline will require government approval. The commission headed by retired Allahabad High Court

Namaz will be offered but in tight security: Samajwadi Party's ST Hassan

There is a rumour in entire Moradabad that namaz would not be offered in the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, rumours should be controlled, he added

Sambhal mosque survey report to be submitted to court amid tight security

Security was stepped up across the district ahead of Friday prayers and the likely submission of a report on the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid here by the court-appointed ASI team following claims that a temple once stood at the spot. Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said security measures have been reinforced at sensitive religious sites in the area and around the court in Chandausi. The lawyer for the Hindu side, Gopal Sharma, said the court hearing on Friday will see the plaintiff's side present their reply, and the court commissioner is expected to submit the findings from the survey conducted on the disputed site. "Our further action will be determined after the survey report is reviewed," Sharma said. Shakeel Ahmed Warsi, the lawyer representing the Muslim

Sambhal stone-pelting incident: 3-member judicial inquiry commission formed

Judicial Inquiry Commission to be headed by Justice Devendra Kumar Arora (Retired), Allahabad High Court and Retired IAS Amit Mohan Prasad and Retired IPS Arvind Kumar Jain

Sambhal violence: Police confirm 3 minors involved, says numbers may change

In addition, the authorities recovered a knife, which Singh described as potentially very dangerous if used in a crowd

Sambhal: Protesters to pay damages, posters of 'stone pelters' to be put up

The Uttar Pradesh government will make protesters involved in the Sambhal violence pay for damage to public property while posters of "stone pelters" will be displayed at public places, an official said on Wednesday. Four people died and scores, including police personnel, were injured in Sambhal on Sunday after a confrontation erupted over a court-ordered survey of the city's Shahi Jama Masjid in Kot Garvi area, following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site. "The UP government is adopting a firm stance against the individuals involved in the Sambhal violence. Posters of the stone pelters and miscreants will be displayed publicly, and recovery of damages will be sought. A reward may also be announced for information leading to their arrest," an official spokesperson said. In a similar initiative, the government had previously put up posters of individuals linked to vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in 2020. These posters were displayed across severa

Sambhal violence: 7 FIRs registered, 27 people arrested, says official

Meanwhile, in a joint press conference, Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi informed that a complaint has been filed against as many as 800 people after the violence

Sambhal violence - What happened and why?

Recent escalation in violent protests over a survey in UP’s Sambhal district led to 4 deaths, and left over 20 security personnel injured. What sparked the violence and what is the survey about?

Sambhal: Normalcy back as schools reopen while internet remains suspended

Two days after violence broke out during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, life in Sambhal was gradually returning to normal on Tuesday with schools reopening and several shops selling daily essentials resuming operations. Internet services, however, remain suspended. Police and administration officials are continuing to closely monitor the situation, with personnel deployed at key intersections and Rapid Action Force teams stationed in sensitive areas. The authorities have imposed restrictions on the entry of outsiders and public representatives into Sambhal until November 30. Although the situation in most parts of the district appeared calm, the area around Shahi Jama Masjid remained deserted. Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the mosque was first surveyed on the court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site. On Sunday, a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans a

Sambhal DM refutes claims on mosque survey, violence investigation underway

In a detailed response, Dr Pensiya clarified the timeline of events surrounding the survey, stating that the court order for the survey was received in the afternoon on November 24

Sambhal violence: Prohibitory orders issued, entry barred for outsiders

The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30 after three men were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured in a violence by protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. The order has been issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), said District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya late on Sunday. "No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order, which came into force with immediate effect. Violation of the order will be punishable under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the BNS. Violence broke out in the district on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Jama Masjid clashed with security personnel. The protesters torched vehicles and pelted the police with stones while the security

UP: 3 killed, 20 cops among injured in protest over Sambhal mosque survey

Police used tear gas and "minor force" in the face of stone pelting by locals here on Sunday as tension escalated during a second survey of the Mughal-era mosque, claimed to be originally the site of an ancient Hindu temple. Tension has been seething in Sambhal over the past few days after the Jama Masjid was surveyed last Tuesday on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. According to the local administration, a second survey by an "Advocate Commissioner" as part of a court-ordered examination into the disputed site began around 7 am and a crowd began gathering at the spot. "Some miscreants came out of the crowd gathered near the site and pelted stones at the police team. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control," Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said. He said those who engaged in stone pelting and those who incited them will be identified and action taken against ...

Sambhal mosque row: SP MP's father among 34 'bound down' over breach worry

The father of the Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP is among 34 people "bound down" by the local administration over apprehensions of breach of peace following claims that a local Mughal-era mosque was originally the site of an ancient temple significant to the Hindu faith. Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra told PTI on Saturday that the 34 people had been bound down on a bond of up to Rs 10 lakh to maintain peace and order. The local administration can order someone to be bound down if they receive information that the person is likely to breach the peace, disturb public tranquillity, cause danger to public harmony or commit any wrongful act. Among the 34 people bound down is Mamlukur Rahman Barq, the father of the Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP Zia ur Rahman Barq, the SDM said. Police had stepped up security, imposed prohibitory orders and conducted a flag march ahead of Friday prayers at the mosque. The mosque was surveyed on Tuesday on the orders of a local court following

Rediscovery of India: Collectors reclaim colonial art as nation's heritage

Weeks isn't the only foreign artist who travelled to and worked in or on India. And he certainly isn't the only one attracting attention in the country of his interest

Allahabad HC to hear plea for survey of Gyanvapi's Wazukhana area on Nov 8

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in a petition challenging the Varanasi judge's last October order that refused to direct the Archeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Wazukhana (ablution) area inside the Gyanvapi mosque located by the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The court posted the matter for hearing on November 8 in the petition which is seeking the survey of the Wazukhana area, barring the structure which the Hindu side calls a Shivling and the Muslims describe as a fountain. The order was passed by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal while hearing a civil revision filed by Rakhi Singh, one of plaintiffs. The revision has challenged the Varanasi district judge's order dated October 21, 2023 refusing to direct the ASI to undertake a survey of the Wazukhana. Rakhi Singh is one of the plaintiffs in Sringar Gauri worshipping suit being heard at Varanasi court. She has pleaded that the survey of the Wuzukhana area is necessary in the interest of justic

Hindu side says Gyanvapi complex survey incomplete, seeks direction to ASI

Lawyers representing the Hindu side on Thursday furnished their submissions before a court here in response to the arguments put forth by the Muslim side in the Gyanvapi case two days ago. The Hindu side's plea had demanded a survey by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in the remaining parts of the Gyanvapi complex. Following the submissions, the court posted the hearing on October 16. Advocate Madan Mohan Yadav, who is representing the Hindu side, said he appeared before Civil Judge Senior Division Yughul Shambhu, and submitted that the survey done by the ASI in the Gyanvapi complex was incomplete. Yadav said the ASI was not in a position to furnish a correct report without excavation and therefore it should be ordered to conduct the excavation and survey the entire Gyanvapi complex. On October 8, the Muslim side -- Anjuman Intezamia Committee -- had presented its views on the petition. The lawyers then reportedly submitted before the court that when the Hindu side has app

Tension in Dharavi as locals thwart BMC's move to raze portion of mosque

Tension prevailed in Dharavi slum here on Saturday after hundreds of local residents gathered on a road and opposed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's plan to pull down an alleged illegal portion of a mosque, an official said. A large number of police personnel have been deployed there to prevent any untoward incident in view of the prevailing situation, he said. "A team of BMC officials from G-North administrative ward reached the 90 Feet Road in Dharavi around 9 am to demolish alleged illegal portion of Mehboob-E-Subhani masjid. Soon, a large number of local residents gathered at the spot and stopped the civic officials from entering the lane where the mosque is located," the police official said. "Later, hundreds of people also assembled outside the Dharavi police station located there and squatted on the road to protest against the civic body's move," he said. Heavy police 'bandobast' has been deployed and the situation is under control, the official said. A delegation .

Protests in Himachal's Mandi over mosque built on encroached land

Police used water cannons on Friday to disperse protestors demanding the demolition of a mosque built on encroached land in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi town. The protestors initially held a march in the Mandi market area and sat on a dharna at Seri manch. Later, when they made attempts to proceed towards the mosque, police stopped them and used water cannons to bring the situation under control. Security had been beefed up by the police in Mandi with the deployment of heavy force after Hindu outfits gave the call for a protest march. On Thursday, members of the Muslim community had themselves demolished an unauthorised portion of the mosque located on Jail Road in the town. The mosque stands on land belonging to the public works department. Both the PWD and the municipal corporation had served notices to the mosque management over this.

Mosque row: Muslim panel asks municipal corporation to seal illegal portion

Amid escalating tensions over the Sinjauli mosque in Shimla, a Muslim welfare committee on Thursday urged the municipal commissioner to seal the unauthorised portion and also offered to demolish it in accordance with a court order. The panel comprises the Imam of the mosque and members of the Waqf board and the mosque management committee. A delegation of the committee made the request in a representation to Municipal Commissioner Bhupendra Attri and said Muslims living in the locality are permanent residents of Himachal Pradesh and it was taking the step to preserve harmony and brotherhood. "We have sought permission from the Shimla municipal commissioner to demolish the unauthorised part of the mosque situated in Sanjauli," member of the welfare committee Mufti Mohammad Shafi Kasmi said. The Imam of the Sanjauli mosque said, "There is no pressure on us, we have been living here for decades and this decision has been taken as a Himachali. We want to stay in peace and brotherhood .