Why in news
In 2022, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud made an observation in the Gyanvapi petition that Sections 3 and 4 of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, do not prohibit the "ascertainment of religious character" of any place of worship.
This led to an increase in petitions seeking surveys to determine the religious character of mosques and places of worship built during the medieval period.
Mosques mentioned
Ajmer Dargah:
It is a Sufi Tomb (dargah) of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chishti
The shrine was built by Mughal King Humayun
Claims it was originally a Sankat Mochan Mandir.
Petition sparked controversy as the Dargah is visited by people of all religions
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra:
A 12th-century mosque, built by Qutubddin Aibak, in Ajmer, Rajasthan
Allegations it was once a Sanskrit college and temple before being converted into a mosque.
ASI maintains it is a mosque, while some claim it was originally a Jain temple, destroyed by Afghans of Ghor in 1192
Shamsi Jama Masjid:
The masjid was built by Iltutmish, the ruler of Delhi Sultanate at that time.
800-year-old mosque in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, contested by claims it was an ancient Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
Currently under a fast-track court hearing over its religious history.
Other Mosques Facing Controversy:
Teelewali Masjid in Lucknow
Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal
Atala Masjid in Jaunpur
Eidgah in Mathura
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid
Qutubddin Aibak built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi.
Sultan Iltutmish beautified it in AD 1213 with a screen pierced by corbelled engrailed arches which appears in this country for the first time.
COMMENTS