Name of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal Changed to Juma Masjid by ASI:

The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal is once again at the center of public attention. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reportedly issued a new signboard that renames the monument as Juma Masjid, replacing the earlier name Shahi Jama Masjid.

The updated blue signboard reads “ASI Protected Monument Juma Masjid” and is currently placed at the Satyavrat Police Chowki. It is expected to replace the old green-colored board installed at the mosque entrance.

Change in Board Color and Background of the Update

According to reports, the new board differs not only in name but also in color—from green to blue. ASI's legal representative, Vishnu Sharma, told PTI that the new board is consistent with ASI’s records, which identify the mosque as Juma Masjid.

Sharma also stated that the original ASI signboard had allegedly been removed and replaced by locals with one reading “Shahi Jama Masjid.” The new signage aligns with historical records maintained by ASI.

No Official ASI Statement Yet on Installation Timing

As of now, the ASI has not released an official statement regarding when the new signboard will be formally installed. Sharma noted that a similar blue board with the same name already exists inside the mosque premises.

Historical Dispute and Ongoing Controversy

This development comes amid heightened tension surrounding the Mughal-era mosque. A legal petition has claimed that the mosque stands on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. This claim led to violent clashes during a survey of the site on November 24 last year, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries in the Kot Garvi area of Sambhal.

The mosque, a protected monument, continues to be the subject of legal and communal debates.