FIR registered against two members of the management committee of the mosque for allegedly misbehaving with Archaeological Survey of India officials
NEW DELHI – A controversial ‘Harihar Mandir Padyatra’ is set to take place in the Uttar Pradesh City of Sambhal on November 19, with no official permission sought by the organisers. Mahant Rishi Raj Giri, a Hindu litigant in the Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar Mandir title dispute, announced the 2.5-km ‘circumambulation’ of the Shahi Jama Masjid, despite the matter being sub judice in multiple courts, including the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court.
The move has sparked concerns, especially since the site has been a focal point of tension, with violence erupting during protests against a court-ordered survey last year, resulting in the death of five Muslim youths, allegedly in police firing. Officials remain unaware of the proposed padyatra, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the event.
Officials said on Sunday that they have no information about the proposed padyatra by Giri.
Addressing a press conference, Mahant Rishi Raj Giri of Kela Devi temple, who is also the founder of the International Harihar Sena, said the event will start at 10 am and participants will travel by vehicle up to Motinagar. They will then undertake a 2.5-km foot march around the outer boundary of the disputed complex before returning to Kela Devi temple.
“Our message is simple — Harihar Mandir was, is and will remain a temple. The matter is before the court and we fully respect the judicial process. We will only perform the circumambulation of the Harihar Mandir precincts,” he said.
Replying to a question about permission from the administration, Giri said that no formal discussion has yet taken place with the administration and called the event a “social, religious and spiritual activity”.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against two members of the management committee of the Shahi Jama Masjid for allegedly misbehaving with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials and preventing them from entering the main dome during a survey, police said on Sunday.
According to the FIR registered at Sambhal police station, ASI Superintending Archaeologist Vinod Singh Rawat said a team from the ASI’s Meerut Circle had visited the centrally protected mosque in Sambhal on October 8 for an inspection related to conservation work.
During the visit, committee staffer Hafiz allegedly summoned one Mohammad Kasif Khan to the site, and both of them obstructed the ASI team from entering the main dome of the protected monument.
The complaint further alleged that an unidentified person attempted to create a dispute, used objectionable language and tried to disturb the atmosphere, forcing the team to return to Meerut without completing the official work. — With inputs from Agencies
