– Akhilesh Tripathi/Lucknow
On Sunday, violence erupted during the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, leading to the death of four youth. The unrest and subsequent violence are being attributed to the negligence of the administration and police. In response, authorities have intensified police patrols in the area and imposed a 24-hour internet shutdown.
The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal dates back to the Mughal era. Some self-proclaimed Hindutva activists have turned the mosque into a point of controversy, claiming it to be the ancient Harihar temple. One of these individuals, Mahant Rishi Raj Giri of Kela Devi Temple, filed a case in the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh in Chandausi, claiming that the mosque was originally a temple built before the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan and later converted into a mosque during the Mughal period.
However, the Muslim side has refuted these claims, asserting that the mosque was built on a mound and not on the ruins of any temple. The case was filed in court on November 19, after which the court appointed a commissioner the same day. The commissioner conducted a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19, which included two hours of videography and photography. The commissioner is expected to submit a report to the court on November 29.
Following the survey, security around the mosque was tightened, and Sambhal was turned into a fortress during Friday prayers to ensure peace. Despite these measures, the court commissioner returned to the mosque for another survey on Sunday, accompanied by the DM, SP, CO, SDM, and a significant deployment of security forces.
The situation escalated, leading to violent clashes and tragic casualties, highlighting tensions over the historical and religious dispute.
As the court commissioner revisited the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal for the survey, a large crowd followed, raising provocative slogans. The commissioner proceeded alongside this crowd. Observers noted that the situation appeared more focused on stirring controversy and disrupting the atmosphere rather than conducting a peaceful survey.
The provocative slogans prompted members of the Muslim community to gather near the site in protest. Meanwhile, a rumour spread that the mosque would be excavated that day, further escalating tensions. Chaos ensued as a group assembled in an alley near the mosque and began pelting stones. In response, the police deployed tear gas to control the crowd.
Amid the turmoil, gunfire erupted, and the clash intensified into violent confrontations. The situation spiralled, leading to fatalities and injuries on both sides. Four people lost their lives in the violence, while District Magistrate Dr. Rajender Pensiya and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi were injured. A Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) also sustained a broken leg, the SP’s PRO was shot, and, 20 police personnel were injured in the conflict. The enraged crowd set fire to several four-wheelers and motorcycles, reducing them to ashes.
In the violence, four individuals – Noman (40), Bilal (22), Naeem (35), and Kaif (19) – lost their lives. According to Moradabad Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, all four deaths were caused by gunshot wounds, but he claimed that the police didn’t open fire. However, eyewitness accounts and ground reports tell a different story: the police used batons, tear gas, and also fired bullets at the crowd. Singh’s statement is being called out as a blatant lie, as all four deaths reportedly resulted from police gunfire. While the crowd also fired bullets, the suggestion that the victims might have shot themselves is implausible and raises serious questions about the police’s version of events.
The violence during the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid could have been avoided if the administration had acted prudently. However, the negligence of Sambhal administration and police has come under scrutiny. Key questions remain unanswered: Why was a crowd allowed to accompany the court commissioner during the survey? Why were provocative slogans raised by the crowd in the presence of the administration and police, and why weren’t they stopped? Who permitted the crowd to follow the court commissioner during such a sensitive process? Was the court commissioner conducting the survey, or was it the crowd?
These questions expose serious lapses in the handling of the situation by the police and administration. If they had fulfilled their responsibilities with integrity, the unrest, violence, and tragic loss of four lives could have been avoided.
The events in Sambhal clearly point to the administration’s and police’s failure, making them directly responsible for the violence and deaths. Their negligence stands out as the root cause of this tragedy.
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav has held the Uttar Pradesh government responsible for the unrest and violence in Sambhal. Yadav stated, “The BJP incited violence in Sambhal to divert attention from the irregularities it committed during the elections. Once a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid had already been conducted, what was the need to send another survey team?”
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati also blamed the Uttar Pradesh government and administration for the violence in Sambhal. She said, “Since the unexpected results of the Assembly by-elections, there was tension in Sambhal and across the Moradabad division. Under such circumstances, it would have been better if the government and administration had postponed the survey of the mosque in Sambhal. The violence that occurred is the responsibility of the government and administration. This task should have been carried out peacefully by involving both sides.”
The Congress also blamed the Uttar Pradesh government for the Sambhal incident. UP Congress President Ajay Rai remarked, “The survey team was deliberately sent to Sambhal’s Jama Masjid to fuel BJP’s politics of hatred. A fair investigation into the entire matter should be conducted, and action should be taken against the guilty officials.”
The political party Azad Adhikar Sena has held the police responsible for the violence in Sambhal. The party’s national president and former IG Police, Amitabh Thakur, stated, “An investigation into this incident should be conducted by a sitting High Court judge. This incident occurred entirely due to the autocratic behaviour of the police. Each family of those who lost their lives in this incident should be given compensation of ₹1 crore each.”
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Sanjay Singh remarked, “The BJP has ruined Uttar Pradesh. Hatred, violence, and riots have now become the identity of UP.”
The official website of Sambhal district lists the Shahi Jama Masjid as a historical monument. However, Hindu petitioners have claimed in court that the mosque is actually the Harihar Temple. The petitioners’ lawyer, Vishnu Shankar Jain, stated that Babur partially demolished the Harihar Temple in 1529 and later attempted to convert it into a mosque.
In the case of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, the plaintiffs, including Hari Shankar Jain, Rishi Raj Giri, and others, have made the central government, Uttar Pradesh government, and Shahi Jama Masjid Committee of Sambhal parties to the dispute. Vishnu Shankar Jain and Hari Shankar Jain are father and son. They have also filed cases in court regarding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura, advocating for their transfer to Hindus.
