ASI likely to replace signboard at Sambhal's Jama Masjid with 'Juma Masjid' amid ongoing controversy

NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued a new signboard for the historic mosque in Sambhal, changing its name from "Shahi Jama Masjid" to "Juma Masjid," sparking fresh attention to the already controversial religious site.
The blue-colored ASI board, currently at the Satyavrat police outpost, will replace the existing signboard.
ASI's counsel Vishnu Sharma explained the change in name is aligned with official records. "An ASI board was earlier installed outside the mosque but was allegedly removed by certain individuals who replaced it with a board calling it 'Shahi Jama Masjid'. The new board has been issued in accordance with the name recorded in ASI documents, which is 'Juma Masjid'."
A similar blue ASI board with the name "Juma Masjid" is already present inside the mosque premises. The ASI has not announced when the new signboard will be installed.
Earlier, The hearing on the bail plea of Zafar Ali, president of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, was postponed to April 4 due to the unavailability of the case diary, a lawyer said on Wednesday.
Ali was arrested on March 23 in connection with the November 24 violence during protests over a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
His interim bail plea was earlier rejected by the ADJ-II court in Chandausi, which also denied a fresh request citing the same reason.
Additional district government advocate Hariom Prakash Saini said, “During today’s hearing, the defense counsel requested interim bail for Zafar Ali, citing the absence of the case diary. However, I argued that his interim bail had already been rejected earlier, and therefore, the plea should be dismissed again. The court accepted this argument and dismissed the interim bail application.”
A case was registered against Ali under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Ali has denied the charges and claims he was framed.
His brother, Tahir Ali, alleged that police “deliberately” sent him to jail before a judicial panel could record his testimony.
The Mughal-era mosque has been embroiled in controversy after claims emerged that it was built on the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
The site witnessed violence during a survey last year on November 24 in Sambhal's Kot Garvi locality. Four people lost their lives in the incident, and several others were injured.