Sambhal mosque surveyed on court orders over plea claiming it as ancient temple site
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): A mosque in the district was surveyed on Tuesday on the orders of a court here after a petition claimed that the structure was originally the site of an ancient temple significant to the Hindu faith.
The central government, the Uttar Pradesh government, the Masjid Committee and the district magistrate (DM) of Sambhal have been made parties in the petition, Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is also the petitioner, said on Tuesday.
Sambhal DM Rajendra Pensia told reporters that according to the court order, the survey was done by the advocate commissioner during which both the parties were present.
"We were only providing security and protection. Today, the advocate commissioner has done the survey and he will file its report in the court.
"The survey proceedings have been completed for now. If it is required, court will decide," the DM said.
Earlier in the day, Jain claimed that Mughal emperor Babar partly demolished the temple in 1529.
"It is believed that Kalki avatar is to take place at Sambhal," Jain posted on X.
"Today the Hon'ble Civil Court Sambhal on my petition has directed a survey by advocate commissioner at the alleged Jama Masjid in Sambhal which was known as Hari Har Mandir," he said.
"The Hari Har temple in Sambhal, we all know, is a central part of our faith," Jain told reporters in Chandausi outside the District Court of Sambhal.
Vishnu Shankar Jain and his father Hari Shankar Jain have represented the Hindu side in many cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi-Kashi Vishwanath dispute.
"This is an ASI-protected area. There can be no encroachment of any kind in the ASI-protected area. There are many signs and symbols there which are of Hindu temple," he said.
"Considering all these factors, the Honourable Civil Judge (Senior Division) of Sambhal has issued an order for an advocate commission to survey the site using video and photography, and submit its report to the court," Jain added.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq objected to the developments.
"The Jama Masjid of Sambhal is historical and very old. The Supreme Court had given the order in 1991 that whatever religious places are there in whatever condition since 1947, they will remain at their places," he said.
Even after that, some people want to spoil the atmosphere of the country and the state, he said, adding that they are against such people.
"The (advocate) commission that came here have prepared their survey report. They cannot have any objection to even an inch of space. There was a mosque there, there is a mosque and there will be a mosque," the SP MP added.
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Karnataka identifies 22.63 lakh ineligible BPL cardholders: Sources; opposition protests
Bengaluru/Kolar, Nov 20: The Karnataka government has identified 22.63 lakh ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders in the state, with plans to revise the list, official sources said on Wednesday.
A survey conducted in August this year uncovered 22,62,482 ineligible BPL cardholders. The government is now considering cancelling these cards, triggering concerns about the withdrawal of key welfare benefits for numerous families.
These include the distribution of 10 kg of food grains per family member per month under the Anna Bhagya scheme and the Rs 2,000 monthly allowance provided to women heads of BPL families under the Congress-led government’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme.
Defending the move, Karnataka’s Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister K H Muniyappa stated that southern states typically do not have more than 50 per cent of their population categorised as BPL cardholders.
ALSO READ: Only ineligible BPL cards will be weeded out, no impact on eligible cardholders: CM Siddaramaiah
"In Karnataka, the second-highest tax revenue-generating state after Maharashtra, it is unrealistic to have 75-80 per cent of the population listed as BPL. Therefore, we must cancel these cards," Muniyappa said, adding that the government is not eliminating the cards but reclassifying them as Above Poverty Line (APL) cards.
According to Muniyappa, individuals holding government jobs, paying income tax, or earning an annual income above Rs 1.2 lakh are not eligible for BPL cards.
The opposition BJP seized the issue, criticising the Congress-led government.
Leaders including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, and K Gopalaiah led a march in Bengaluru, visiting affected BPL families and staging protests against the decision.
A Bengaluru-based BPL cardholder expressed concern after discovering that her ration card had been canceled during a visit to a government-run ration shop. She feared her newborn daughter would lose access to benefits under the Bhagya Lakshmi scheme, aimed at reducing female foeticide, supporting education, and ensuring financial empowerment for girls.
The government's move has sparked widespread debate, with political and public reactions continuing to unfold.
