AHMEDABAD: The controversy over the 14th-century Bharuch Jami Masjid has reached Gujarat High Court, with five petitioners demanding the right to worship and immediate protection of the idol of Lord Mallinath, the 19th Jain Tirthankar, on the mosque premises.The issue surfaced earlier this year, with Jains claiming that Lord Mallinath’s idol was discovered during an inspection of the mosque’s basement. The mosque is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Ghiasuddin Tughlaq in the 14th century.After the discovery of the idol, local Hindu and Jain groups held a rally. Fearing an untoward incident amid communal tension over the issue, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asked the Bharuch district collector to ensure the monument’s protection.On Thursday, the petitioners, including local residents Harishankar Jain and Rahul Dewan, urged HC to direct the authorities to protect the idol. They expressed apprehension that the idol might be destroyed amid the controversy and tension over the monument’s character.Petitioners fear for idol’s safety after row Their counsel submitted that the idol is highly sacred to the Jain community and that its members should be permitted to worship there. Otherwise, they feared, the idol could be destroyed. It was submitted that ASI declared Jami Masjid a protected monument in 1909 and that it enjoys the status of a monument of national importance.At present, it is governed by Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. The law mandates that the monument’s character cannot be changed, but given the controversy, the petitioners fear for the idol’s safety.Govt pleader G H Virk submitted that he found some merit in the petitioners’ case. Justice Nisha Thakore has posted the matter for further hearing on Friday. The petitioners have made Centre, ASI, state govt and the managing committee of Jami Masjid respondents in the case.
