GS Paper - II

The Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh saw stone pelting and torching of vehicles on 24 November 2024 morning as a team of surveyors reached Chandausi town to carry out a second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Why this Survey?

• The survey was ordered by a local court on 19 November 2024, after a petition claimed a temple had been demolished to build the mosque in 1526.
• The order was passed by the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal at Chandausi, Aditya Singh.
• The petition was filed on 19 November 2024 afternoon, and within hours, the judge appointed an advocate commissioner and directed him to carry out an initial survey at the mosque, which was done the same day.
• The court also directed that a report of the survey be filed before it by 29 November 2024.

What is the Jama masjid in Chandausi?

• The Jama Masjid “is a protected monument”, notified on 22 December 1920 under Section 3, sub-section (3) of Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.
• It has been “declared as a Monument of National importance and figures on the website of ASI, Agra circle Moradabad division” in the list of centrally protected monuments.

Who has filed the case?

• A total of eight petitioners have filed the case in the Sambhal court. These include advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who is also a lawyer in the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute; Advocate Parth Yadav; and Mahant Rishiraj Giri, the mahant of the Kalki Devi temple in Sambhal.
• Other petitioners are Noida resident Ved Pal Singh; Sambhal residents Rakesh Kumar, Jitpal Yadav, Madanpal, and Deenanath.

What does the petition say?

• The plea claims there is a “centuries old Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki in the heart of city of Sambhal which is being used forcibly and unlawfully” by the Jama Masjid Committee.
• The petition says that “Sambhal is a historical city and holds unique significance deeply rooted in Hindu Shastras, according to which it is sacred site where an incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as Kalki manifests in the future, a Divine figure yet to make an appearance”.
• Kalki is believed to be the tenth and last incarnation of Lord Vishnu, destined to arrive in Kalyuga.
• His descent is believed to herald the end of the dark and tumultuous Kalyuga ushering in the next age, known as Satyuga, says the plea under the heading “historical facts”.
• The petition says that “Hindu scriptures confirm that in ancient times a unique ‘Vigrah’ consisting of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva emerged and due to this reason, it is called ‘Shri Hari Har’ temple.
• It says that “Shri Hari Har temple of Sambhal was made by Lord Vishwakarma Himself in the beginning of the universe”.
• It further says that Babar invaded India in 1526 AD and “destroyed a number of Hindu temples to show the might of Islam to make the Hindus feel that they are subjects of Islamic ruler”.