Commencement of Whitewashing at Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Whitewashing work at Shahi Jama Masjid started on March 16.
- Archaeological Survey of India overseeing the project.
- Initiative mandated by Allahabad High Court.
- Team of nine labourers from Delhi engaged in the work.
- Completion expected in a few days.
New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) The long-anticipated whitewashing project at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has officially kicked off on Sunday, under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
A dedicated team of nine workers, assigned by the ASI, is engaged in the initial phase, which involves applying white paint to the mosque's exterior, maintaining the historical essence of the building.
Zafar Ali, the President of the Shahi Jama Masjid, expressed his thoughts on the initiative, highlighting that the project is in accordance with the directives of the Allahabad High Court.
He stated, "In line with the High Court's orders, whitewashing and painting have commenced. It is being executed under the ASI's supervision, with nine workers currently available. Should more personnel be required, we will increase the workforce tomorrow. The progress is swift and effective."
This painting and whitewashing endeavor is part of a court-ordered initiative to restore and maintain the mosque’s outer facade. The labourers, who hail from Delhi, are tasked with completely covering the outer walls of the mosque.
One of the labourers mentioned, "Eight other workers are on site. We will paint the backside as well, ensuring the entire exterior is covered. Our first step is whitewashing; we traveled from Delhi to assist with this project."
The mosque committee, headed by Zafar Ali, is diligently overseeing the work to ensure compliance with both historical and legal standards. The restoration process, anticipated to wrap up in a few days, aims to rejuvenate the grandeur of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a vital religious site in Sambhal.
This initiative comes on the heels of a recent court ruling mandating the ASI to finalize the whitewashing of the mosque’s outer walls within a week, reaffirming the commitment to preserving the mosque’s historical significance.
It is important to note that the whitewashing only concerns the mosque’s outer wall, as clarified by Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu faction in the case.
Moreover, the court has also instructed the installation of lighting around the mosque’s exterior to improve its visibility.