HC Sambhal order a historic step: MLA

Lucknow: Welcoming Allahabad high court's decision allowing the ASI survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, BJP's Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh called it a historic step towards restoring India's cultural identity and Sanatan values. "This is not merely a survey—it is the reawakening of our faith and identity," he said.Singh emphasised that Sambhal is a sacred land deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma, with references in scriptures like the Skanda Purana as the future birthplace of Lord Kalki. He highlighted Sambhal's glorious past, from the reign of the Panchal kings and Emperor Ashoka to its political significance under Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan and Mughal rule.He said the 1529 demolition of the Harihar Mandir, reportedly replaced by a mosque on Babur's orders, is documented in the Baburnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Singh also recalled the 1978 communal violence that led to over 180 Hindu deaths and a sharp demographic shift. The recent reopening of an ancient Shiva temple after 46 years, he said, marks the symbolic return of Sanatan spirit.Singh hailed the high court's stand as bold and truthful, stating that it has reaffirmed the nation's spiritual and cultural consciousness.