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Now, Hindutva Group Claims Temple over Badaun’s Jama Masjid in UP

Badaun’s Jama Masjid

‘The mosque was built by Shamsuddin Altutmish. But they have claimed that the mosque was built by a Mughal invader. They can’t even distinguish between Mughal rulers and the Slave dynasty’

Waquar Hasan | Clarion India

NEW DELHI – Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM), a Hindutva outfit, has filed a petition in a court claiming that Jama Masjid Shamsi in the Badaun district had been built after demolishing a temple. The petition was filed on August 8.

Responding to the petition, the court has sought response from the Intezamiya (administrative) committee of the Masjid, UP Sunni Waqf Board, UP archaeology department, Union of India, UP government via Budaun district magistrate and state chief secretary and fixed September 15 as the next date of hearing.

Talking to Clarion India, Israr Ahmed, the advocate representing the mosque side, said that neither any temple existed under the mosque nor the Mahasabha provided any documentary evidence regarding their claim.

He said they (the mosque side) have filed a preliminary suit that the petition is not maintainable. This mosque was built by Shamsuddin Altutmish. But they have claimed that the mosque was built by a Mughal invader. They don’t have even knowledge of the history that what is the difference between Mughal rulers and the Slave dynasty.

The Masjid located in Maulvi Tola area is one of the oldest and largest mosques of the country with a capacity to accommodate over 23,000 devotees at a time.

The petitioners are the state convenor of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, Mukesh Patel, advocate Arvind Parmar, Gyan Prakash, Anurag Sharma and Umesh Chandra Sharma, who have claimed that in the structure of the masjid is Neelkanth Mahadev temple located in the fort of Raja Mahipal.

The petition has further claimed that some books say that the mosque is the Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir.

“We are aware that articles related to the ancient temple are lying in a room locked for a long time now. We had requested the court to register a case and carry out a survey to bring out the truth,” Mukesh Singh Patel was quoted by The Times of India as saying.

Talking to the media, Mujahid Naaz, a historian, said it (the mosque) was never a Shiva temple, neither it is, nor would it be.

“This magnificent structure was built by king Altutmish to commemorate his daughter Raziya Sultana’s birth, who became the first woman ruler of the world in a vacant land. Its tomb is the biggest in India,” said Mujahid.

There should not be any objection to the identity of this mosque. It is being done with intent to polarise the people in the name with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These claims are being made for political motives. There is no truth to such claims, he said.

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