The Shahi Jama Masjid committee president, Zafar Ali, has opposed the proposed march by the Harihar Sena around the periphery of the disputed Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar temple site scheduled for Wednesday. He has called it an "unlawful" attempt to introduce a new practice, even as authorities are yet to decide on granting permission.
Ali urged the administration to refuse permission, citing the "sensitive situation" and the need to preserve peace.
Rishi Raj Giri, mahant of Kela Devi temple and founder of the International Harihar Sena, has announced a one-day "Harihar Mandir Padyatra" (foot march) for November 19. During the event, devotees plan to complete a 2.5-km circumambulation route around the disputed complex.
Giri is also a petitioner in the ongoing court case concerning the petition that claims the structure to be the Harihar Temple. Speaking to reporters, Giri said the march would begin at 10:00 am and proceed via Sagarpur, Sakarapur, Khirni, and Motinagar before completing the circuit and returning to Kela Devi temple.
He maintained that the padyatra is meant to symbolically assert the religious significance of the site and would be conducted peacefully. He also claimed that, as the matter is subjudice, the march would not violate prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS currently imposed in Sambhal.
However, Shahi Jama Masjid committee president Zafar Ali firmly opposed the padyatra. He asserted that no such circumambulation has ever taken place around the mosque — neither in 1976 nor 1978 — and warned that permitting it could disturb communal harmony.
District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia said the administration will review the issue and take a decision on November 19. He confirmed that Section 163 BNSS is currently in force in Sambhal and added that security arrangements in the district have already been strengthened, particularly in the run-up to November 24.
The Shahi Jama Masjid-Harihar Temple dispute is currently before the Supreme Court and a district court. On November 24 last year, violence erupted during protests against a court-ordered survey at the site, resulting in the deaths of four people.
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