High Court Review Raises Stakes on Jama Masjid Protection

Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid is at the center of a complex legal and administrative discourse following submissions to the Delhi High Court by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which noted that official protection status could substantially impact the monument’s operations and regulations. In its affidavit, the ASI clarified that despite legal petitions seeking the mosque’s designation as a protected monument, no steps have been taken thus far, underscoring the complexity of the decision-making involved in classifying heritage sites. The submission marks a pivotal juncture in a case that has unfolded since 2014, originally initiated by litigant Suhail Ahmed Khan, who argued for preserving the mosque as a safeguarded structure under ASI oversight.

The ASI highlighted that the protected status would impose regulatory frameworks around the mosque, limiting certain activities and altering its operational structure. This stance comes as a response to petitions criticizing both the ASI and the Delhi Wakf Board for inadequate preservation efforts. Petitioners argue that laxity has allowed significant degradation of this heritage site, calling for stricter oversight. While the Delhi High Court initially sought documentation from the ASI on the absence of protective measures for Jama Masjid in 2017, it reiterated the request in August this year, ultimately leading to the ASI’s recent affidavit and the Court’s demand for additional documents and clarity on the mosque’s status.