As authorities investigate the incident and proceed with legal actions against those involved, the violence serves as a stark reminder of the fragile communal fabric in areas with contested histories. The findings of the survey and subsequent court proceedings will likely shape the narrative surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid and similar disputes, with broader implications for India’s socio-religious landscape.
By PC Bureau
Three persons were killed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday as violence erupted during a court-mandated survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The unrest stemmed from allegations that the mosque was constructed atop the ruins of a Hindu temple, supposedly demolished during the Mughal era—a claim that has stoked historical sensitivities and communal discord.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the mosque as a survey team, backed by heavy police presence, arrived to carry out the court order. The situation quickly spiraled out of control when protesters, opposing the survey, began pelting stones at the team. Despite senior officials’ attempts to pacify the crowd, tensions escalated further, prompting the police to respond with tear gas to disperse the mob.
Amid the chaos, the violence claimed three lives. Police have confirmed the fatalities but withheld the victims’ identities. Preliminary reports suggest the deaths may have been caused by bullet injuries, though autopsy results are awaited for confirmation.
Uttar Pradesh’s top police official, Prashant Kumar, stated that anti-social elements had incited the violence. “The survey was conducted in compliance with the court’s directives. Unfortunately, stone-pelting disrupted the process, but the situation is now under control. Those responsible will face legal action,” he assured.
So far, 18 people have been detained, including two women accused of throwing stones from rooftops. Authorities are analyzing drone footage to identify additional culprits.
Despite the clashes, the Advocate Commission successfully completed the survey, which was extensively recorded through photographs and videos. The findings are set to be presented to the court on November 29, according to Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiyia.
The survey was initiated following a legal complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who alleged that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, Hari Har Mandir, which Mughal emperor Babar partially demolished in 1529. The allegations form part of a broader series of disputes over religious sites in India, which have often led to heightened communal tensions.
In the aftermath of the violence, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Sambhal, restricting gatherings of more than five people. Additional security forces have been deployed, and aerial surveillance continues to ensure peace in the area. Local religious leaders have called for calm, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and adherence to the law.
This is not the first instance of unrest in Sambhal. A similar survey conducted on November 19 had also drawn scrutiny, though it proceeded without significant disruptions. The case has rekindled debates over historical claims and their implications for present-day communal harmony.
Residents of Sambhal now wait anxiously for justice and a return to normalcy, hoping the area can move beyond this tragic episode toward peace and reconciliation.
