Gujarat High Court, on Tuesday, once again restrained Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) from demolishing parts of two ancient mosques near Astodia gate in a bid to widen the road.
Admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) by Sunni Awami Forum demanding protection of the early 16th century architectural marvel Rani Sipri and 480-year-old Siraji Saiyed Masjid, known as Khajuriwali Masjid, a division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice MS Shah and Justice DH Waghela directed the forum to make a representation before the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to include the Khajuriwali Masjid as a protected monument under the ancient monument Act. The court has also directed the ASI to act on the application by the forum within four months.
The Rani Sipri Masjid is a declared protected monument by the ASI. When AMC initiated the road widening process of the stretch between Victoria Garden and Astodia Gate last year, there was a massive protest from citizens as the AMC proposed to demolish the boundary wall of the Rani Sipri mosque as well as a part of the Khajuriwali Masjid, standing on the opposite of the road.
However, the issue of Khajuriwali Masjid remained unsolved , as it doesn’t feature in the list of AMC’s heritage list. Hence, the court has asked the petitioner to request the ASI to include this mosque in its protected monuments’ list, said advocate Mukul Sinha.
(Source)
