Allahabad High Court admits plea seeking removal of 50 shops inside ASI-protected mosque; community leaders say selective action reflects pressure politics
JAUNPUR — A fresh controversy has begun in Uttar Pradesh after a petition in the Allahabad High Court sought the demolition of 50 shops located within the Atala Jama Masjid complex in Jaunpur, a site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). All the shops are occupied by Muslim tenants, which has placed the issue at the centre of a wider debate on the treatment of minorities in the state.
The petition has been filed by Santosh Mishra, who claims the shops were built illegally within the mosque complex. The high court has accepted the plea as a Public Interest Litigation and transferred it to the court of the Chief Justice. A bench chosen by the Chief Justice will hear the matter on December 19.
Court records show that the petitioner has argued the Atala Jama Masjid is an ASI-protected monument and any construction inside its premises needs official approval. The plea alleges that no such permission was taken and that the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board allowed the construction in violation of rules.
Mishra has also questioned the process of allotment of the shops. In his petition, he stated, “The shops were given to a selected group without any open auction. There was no fairness or openness in the process.”
Muslim tenants and local residents see the case through a different lens. Many say the focus on these shops cannot be separated from recent actions taken by the state government against Muslim religious places and madrasas.
A shopkeeper at the mosque complex said, “These shops are our only source of income. We have been here for years. Suddenly, we are being told that everything is illegal, and only Muslim livelihoods are at risk.”
Another resident of Jaunpur said, “When the government talks about law, it seems to apply mostly to Muslims. Other illegal structures elsewhere are ignored.”
The Yogi Adityanath-led government has faced repeated accusations of discrimination from opposition parties and minority groups. In recent months, several madrasas and Muslim religious sites have faced inspections, sealing, or demolition drives. The government has defended these actions as steps to enforce the law.
A senior Muslim community leader from Jaunpur said, “This is not just about shops. This is about dignity and equal treatment. When action is taken only against Muslim places, people naturally feel targeted.”
Legal experts say the high court will examine whether the construction violated ASI rules and whether due process was followed. At the same time, they note that the impact on tenants will also be a key concern.
An advocate familiar with the case said, “The court will look at records, permissions, and the role of the Waqf Board. The fate of the tenants will depend on these findings.”
The hearing on December 19 is expected to draw close attention, as the case touches not only on heritage laws but also on the growing sense of fear among Muslim communities about their places of worship and livelihoods in Uttar Pradesh.
