With the onset of Ramadan, the issue of painting the ASI-protected Jama Masjid in Sambhal has surfaced again. Zafar Ali, the president of the Jama Masjid committee, has written to the ASI requesting renovation work for the mosque. Last year, after a request from the mosque committee for painting was denied by the Sambhal administration, they approached the High Court, which directed the ASI to supervise the renovation in the face of the committee’s persistent demands. Last time, the renovation was completed under the supervision of the ASI.

The demand for renovation comes against a backdrop of communal tensions, especially following violence that erupted on November 24, 2024, after a court filing claimed the presence of the Hanuman temple east of the Jama Masjid. After this incident, in 2025, the Jama Masjid committee sought permission from the Sambhal administration for renovation work, but again faced refusal from the authorities, emphasizing the contentious nature of the mosque’s status and maintenance under the ASI.

The current letter and request for renovation not only highlights the religious and cultural significance of the Jama Masjid but also brings to attention the ongoing disputes surrounding religious sites in the region of Sambhal. The committee’s actions and the legal responses they generate will be closely watched, as they could set precedents for similar cases involving historical and religious structures across India, especially during sensitive times such as Ramadan.