Allahabad High Court Directs Cleaning of Sambhal Mosque, Whitewashing Request Under Review

The court instructed the ASI to clean the mosque premises before Ramzan but deferred a decision on whitewashing until further review.

The Allahabad High Court ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to clean the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal ahead of Ramzan but did not approve whitewashing at this stage.
The ASI's inspection report concluded that whitewashing was unnecessary due to the mosque's ceramic paint, prompting the mosque committee to file an objection.
The mosque committee emphasized the cultural and religious significance of whitewashing and decorating the mosque before Ramzan, a tradition upheld annually.
Tight security, including police personnel, drones, and CCTV surveillance, has been implemented around the mosque to maintain peace in the area.
The mosque has been a site of tension since November 2024, when violence erupted during a court-ordered survey, resulting in four fatalities.