What Is This Controversy Over Delhi's Jama Masjid: New Claims Spark Debate

As debates surrounding Sambhal's Jama Masjid and Ajmer Sharif Dargah remain unresolved, a fresh controversy has emerged around Delhi's historic Jama Masjid. Vishnu Gupta, the chief of Hindu Sena, has raised a new claim, asserting that Hindu idols are buried beneath the mosque's stairs. Gupta had previously stirred discussions by claiming a Shiva temple lay beneath the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. This time, he has approached the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to investigate the Jama Masjid based on historical accounts.

Basis of the Claim: ‘Maasir-e-Alamgiri’

Gupta's assertions rely heavily on the book Maasir-e-Alamgiri, which chronicles the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb (1658–1707). Written by Saqi Mustad Khan under the patronage of Inayatullah Khan Kashmiri after Aurangzeb’s death, the book documents events from the emperor's rule, including controversial ones. Gupta highlights an entry dated May 25, 1679, which mentions an incident where temples in Jodhpur were demolished, and idols were transported to Aurangzeb.

According to the text, these idols, adorned with gold, silver, copper, and stone, were ordered to be embedded in the stairs of Delhi's Jama Masjid. Gupta argues that this act was intended to demean Hindus by symbolically placing sacred idols in a lowly position beneath the mosque's entrance.

Petition to ASI: Survey and Excavation Request

In a letter addressed to the Director General of ASI, Gupta has requested a detailed survey and excavation of the mosque’s stairs to verify his claims. He alleges that many Hindu temple remains, including idols, lie beneath the mosque. Gupta argues that this hidden history continues to hurt Hindu sentiments. He has also called for the retrieval and restoration of these idols to their original temples, contending that such actions would expose what he calls the "truth of Aurangzeb's era."

Wider Implications of the Claim

This development has added fuel to ongoing debates surrounding historical monuments and their alleged pre-Islamic pasts. Gupta's claims echo similar controversies, where demands for archaeological surveys of religious sites have intensified tensions between communities. The Jama Masjid, managed by the ASI, holds immense historical and cultural significance, and calls for excavations could provoke further unrest.

Critics argue that such claims aim to rewrite history and could disrupt communal harmony. However, supporters of Gupta's stance see it as an attempt to reclaim cultural heritage and rectify historical injustices.

ASI’s response remains to be seen

The ASI’s response to Gupta's request remains to be seen. While archaeological investigations could provide clarity, they also risk inflaming an already sensitive issue. Whether the ASI conducts a survey or dismisses the petition will likely shape the course of this unfolding controversy. For now, the debate over Delhi's Jama Masjid adds another layer to India’s complex discourse on history, faith, and identity.

Jama Masjid of Delhi was constructed in 1650–56 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān, a noted patron of Islamic architecture whose most famous work is the Taj Mahal, in Agra. Jama Masjid, now the second largest mosque on the Indian subcontinent, is also an impressive example of Mughal architecture.