The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Archeology Department to file an affidavit explaining the reasons for not allowing the whitewashing (painting) of a mosque in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal also directed the Sambhal District Magistrate to produce before the court the original copy of the agreement signed between the government administration and the Mosque Committee in 1927 regarding the handover of the Sambhal mosque to the Archeology Department.

The Allahabad High Court was hearing the petition of the Mosque Committee, in which the Mosque Committee has said that they are seeking permission only for painting the exterior of the mosque. According to the committee, the department has not responded to their petition.

What happened before this?

It should be noted that earlier on February 28, the Archaeological Survey of India had told the Allahabad High Court that the Shahi Jama Masjid was in good condition and there was no need for its painting (repainting) before Ramadan.

The mosque’s management committee had objected to the archaeological survey report, terming it “incorrect” and saying that the mosque needed to be decorated and painted. On Monday, the High Court asked the government agency to explain in its affidavit whether the painting of the exterior of the mosque was really necessary or not.

Archaeological Department’s claim

The Archaeological Department had claimed in the court that the mosque’s management committee had made significant changes to the infrastructure of the mosque through the decoration and painting of the mosque. The report said that “the floor of the building has been completely replaced with tiles and stones. “And the interior of the mosque has been painted with thick layers of enamel paint in bright colors like gold, red, and green, which has hidden the original color of the building.”