– Zaina Aman
A local court in Jaunpur has denied permission for an Amin survey of the 14th-century Atala Mosque, following the Supreme Court’s interim directive barring lower courts from passing any orders on places of worship disputes.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by Civil Judge (Junior Division) Sudha Sharma, emphasised adherence to the apex court’s December 12, 2024, order, which seeks to maintain the status quo on places of worship under the Places of Worship Act, 1991. The Act prohibits altering the religious character of places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947.
The Atala Mosque, built in 1408 C.E. by Ibrahim Shah Sharki, is a celebrated architectural landmark with its towering gateways and intricate design. However, like the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, and a Shahi Masjid in Sambhal, it has become embroiled in controversies reflecting historical and communal debates.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, seeks to prevent further legal or survey actions while these disputes are under review. The move highlights the need for consistency in legal proceedings and efforts to uphold communal harmony amid rising tensions.
