New Delhi: Vishnu Gupta, National President of Hindu Sena, has petitioned the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a detailed survey of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid. Gupta alleges that the mosque, constructed between 1644 and 1656 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, was built over the ruins of Hindu temples from Jodhpur and Udaipur, reports The Hindu.
In his request, Gupta claimed that idols of Hindu deities were desecrated during the mosque’s construction, with some allegedly buried beneath its stairs. He argued that an ASI investigation could uncover hidden historical truths about the site. The ASI has yet to respond to the demand.
Jama Masjid, or Masjid-i Jehan-Numa, is a symbol of Mughal grandeur and among India’s largest mosques. Constructed with red sandstone and white marble, the mosque is renowned for its three gates, two minarets, and a courtyard capable of accommodating 25,000 worshippers. It remains a significant cultural and religious site, attracting visitors from across the globe.
The call for a survey of Jama Masjid follows a trend of similar claims over religious sites in India. Among the most notable are the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, allegedly built on the ruins of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura, claimed to have replaced a temple dedicated to Krishna. These disputes recall the controversial demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, which led to the construction of a temple after a 2019 Supreme Court verdict.
The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, prohibits altering the status of religious sites as they stood on August 15, 1947, to preserve communal harmony. However, legal challenges to the Act have been raised in cases like Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, fueling debates on India’s cultural and religious heritage.
The ASI’s response to Hindu Sena’s demand will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for similar disputes across the country. The request has sparked fresh discussions about the balance between historical exploration and communal harmony.
For now, the future of Jama Masjid’s potential survey remains uncertain as the government and ASI deliberate on the petition.
