The legal dispute over the Shamsi Shahi mosque in Budaun district intensified as both Hindu and Muslim sides presented their claims. The case, accepted by an Uttar Pradesh court, has sparked debates over the mosque’s origins and ownership.
Muslim Side Denounces Case as ‘Fake’
Asrar Ahmed Siddiqui, representing the Muslim side, dismissed the case, stating:
“The case that has been filed is fake. It has been done to disturb the peace. They (the Hindu side) have no rights over this mosque.”
Hindu Side Claims Evidence of Temple Origins
Conversely, Vivek Render, the advocate for the Hindu side, argued that there is substantial evidence suggesting the mosque was originally a Hindu temple.
“We have all the evidence that the property in dispute is a Hindu temple. We only seek uninterrupted worship at the site. We have land papers that do not identify the property as Jama Masjid. The ASI’s advocate has already presented their arguments in court,” he said.
Upcoming Court Hearing
The court has scheduled a hearing on the matter for December 10, where arguments from both sides are expected to continue.
Context of the Dispute
This legal contention follows violence in Sambhal district on November 24, when clashes erupted during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque. The examination, prompted by a petition claiming the mosque was built on the site of a Harihar temple, led to violent confrontations, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries.
On November 27, Moradabad Division’s Divisional Commissioner, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals connected to the Sambhal violence.
The Shamsi Shahi mosque case has raised concerns about maintaining communal harmony amidst ongoing disputes over religious sites.