Rajan Singh । Ground Scoop
The northern Indian city of Sambhal has witnessed unrest after a court-ordered survey of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid led to violent clashes. The incident left four people dead and dozens injured, raising tensions across the region.
Historic Mosque at the Center of Controversy
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century monument and a federally protected site, became the epicenter of a heated dispute. On Sunday, violence erupted during a survey ordered by a local court. The directive followed a petition claiming the mosque was constructed on the ruins of the Hari Har Temple, allegedly destroyed during the Mughal era.
The mosque survey was conducted amidst heavy security but sparked widespread protests. Videos circulating on social media depict scenes of chaos, with slippers, bricks, and stones scattered near the mosque premises.
Police Deny Firing as Protesters Blame Authorities
While protesters allege that four individuals died due to police firing, law enforcement has firmly denied these claims. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated that “no weapons capable of causing fatalities” were used, adding that measures like tear gas and plastic bullets were employed to control the crowds.
Top police official Aunjaneya Kumar Singh reported that protesters threw stones at officers, forcing them to act swiftly to ensure the safety of the survey team.
Tensions Brewing Before the Violence
The conflict has been simmering since last Tuesday when the local court ordered a video-recorded survey of the mosque. The petition, filed by a local group, claimed that the site once hosted a Hindu temple destroyed by Mughal ruler Babur in the 1520s.
The initial survey, conducted without prior notice to the mosque’s caretakers, sparked outrage among sections of Sambhal’s Muslim community. Protests grew louder when a second survey was carried out on Sunday morning, culminating in violent clashes.
Internet Shut Down and Schools Closed
In response to the violence, authorities in Uttar Pradesh suspended internet services and declared a one-day shutdown of schools in Sambhal. Four cases have been registered in connection with the clashes, and investigations are underway.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak assured strict action against those involved, stating, “No one is allowed to take the law into their hands.”
Political Allegations Amidst Rising Mosque Disputes
The incident has added to the growing list of disputes surrounding mosques in India. Hindu groups have repeatedly claimed that several mosques were built on destroyed temples during Mughal rule, triggering legal battles in courts across the country.
Opposition parties have criticized the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, accusing it of fueling the conflict for political gain—a claim the government has denied.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Mahmood Madani expressed deep concern over the recurring controversies, stating that such disputes undermine India’s legal framework and social harmony.
