Ahmedabad: Gujarat High Court on Friday sought a response from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) over a petition filed by members of the Jain and Hindu communities, seeking a declaration that the 14th-century Jami Masjid of Bharuch be declared a Jain-Hindu temple and named Ashwabodh Tirth and Shakunika Vihar and that they be allowed to worship on the premises.The petitioners submitted that ASI, which is obliged to maintain and protect the monument of national importance, has falsely termed the monument as Jami Masjid since 1909 in its list, whereas the monument has all the characteristics of a Jain-Hindu temple. They cited new evidence that emerged in June, showing the presence of idols of deities, particularly Jain Tirthankar Mallinath in the basement of the mosque.The petitioner’s lawyer cited several books and submitted that princess Sudharshana Kumar, daughter of King Vijaybaahu, built the temple in ancient times. Though the character of the monument has always been that of the Jain-Hindu, ASI has been wrongly identifying it as a mosque, he argued.
Petitioners cited new evidence that emerged in June, showing the presence of idols of deities, particularly Jain Tirthankar Mallinath in the basement of the mosque
The petitioners insisted on protecting the idol, alleging that since the revelation of its presence, a few pillars have been damaged, and they fear the idols too would be destroyed or desecrated. They placed photographs of the place and a video clip to establish their claim.It was submitted that since the monument is a Jain-Hindu temple, worship of the deities be permitted, and the petitioners’ advocate questioned how ASI and the state govt can permit namaz to take place in the monument every Friday.ASI’s advocate Ankit Shah submitted that an idol has been found on the premises. He submitted, “We are not the authority to see that worship goes smoothly. The state govt has to look after it. Our duty is to maintain and preserve the monument.”Govt pleader GH Virk submitted, “If an idol is found, our stand is very clear that the monument deserves protection. After the video surfaced, certain pillars have been damaged. The idol and the monument deserve to be protected.”Noting the submissions, Justice Nisha Thakore said, “Prima facie, the court finds that the petitioner has invoked the extraordinary jurisdiction by preferring the present petition without having approached the authority. Let the counsel representing the respondent ASI take complete instructions with regard to the submissions made by the petitioners.”HC will take up further hearing on Tuesday.—Prayers sought by petitionersDirect ASI to declare the alleged Jami Masjid as a Jain-Hindu templeIt be named as Ashwabodh Tirth and Shakunika Vihar by changing the entry in the ASI list of protected monumentsRestrain the authorities from stopping members of Jain-Hindu communities from performing puja in the subject monumentAs an interim measure, seal and protect the sign, symbol, artefacts, visible idols and other significant religious points of Hindu-Jain worship present in the monument and allow the devotees to perform puja of the deities inside the premises
