HC orders cleaning of Sambhal mosque, but no whitewashing

Prayagraj: Allahabad high court directed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday to clean premises of Jama Masjid in UP's Sambhal but did not order whitewashing of the Mughal-era mosque where unrest during a survey last Nov had claimed four lives.Friday's order was passed by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal on a plea by the mosque committee seeking permission for whitewashing and cleaning. This followed an ASI report saying the interior of the mosque had enamel paint in good condition and there was no need for whitewashing.The HC fixed March 4 as the next hearing date and asked the mosque committee to file its objections to ASI's report.Senior advocate SFA Naqvi, appearing for the mosque committee, told the HC that he only wanted whitewashing and lightning work done. On this, the court asked ASI to clean the dust and clear grass. Naqvi promised that no hindrance would be caused during the cleaning. State advocate-general Ajay Kumar Misra affirmed that law and order would be maintained.Earlier on Thursday, the HC had directed ASI to have the site inspected by three officials along with mutawalis (mosque custodians) and submit its report.The Sambhal mosque came under national spotlight when unrest occurred in the district on Nov 24, 2024, following a survey of the mosque by a team led by an advocate commissioner under a local court's orders. Protesters opposing the survey clashed with security personnel, resulting in the four deaths.