Courtesy-wikipedia
In order to carry out repair works at the historic mosque, Jama Masjid at Delhi, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the mosque urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to instruct Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the same in a letter.
According to him, several stones of the mosque keep falling off down and are in the state of dilapidation. Other stones around the falling ones have lost their support and have weakened. In order to avoid any serious mishaps Bukhari requested for immediate repairs in his letter.
Delhi witnessed sudden thunderstorm and rain showers accompanied by strong winds with a speed of 60kms per hour on Friday which resulted in the crashing down of a red sandstone slab from one of the minarets of the Jama Masjid thereby damaging the floor beneath. The mosque was constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the year 1656 and does not comes under the ASI protected monument. The Delhi Waqf Board is the one taking the responsibility of the mosque’s maintenance.
From the past 50 years the conservation work of the minarets has not been commenced according to Bukhari during a word with Hindustan Times. He showed concern for the repairs of the minarets stating that one of the minarets was struck by lightening years ago and it is crucial for experts to inspect the mosque for repairs. He presented the need of engineers to inspect the two minarets and said that the repairs at Jama Masjid have been carried out from time to time by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1956.