Sambhal city is under heightened alert after violent protests over a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid escalate, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Tensions Rise in India Over Mosque Survey Violence
Tensions Rise in India Over Mosque Survey Violence
Violent clashes erupt in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh following a controversial mosque survey, leaving three dead.
In Sambhal city, Uttar Pradesh, tensions are high as violent protests ensued over a court-mandated survey of the historic Jama Masjid, leading to the deaths of three individuals and numerous injuries. The unrest began on a Sunday when demonstrators clashed with police, reportedly torching vehicles and throwing stones. In response to the escalating violence, authorities detained 21 protesters and imposed a temporary suspension of internet services, alongside closing schools for a day.
The survey stemmed from a petition claiming the mosque was constructed on the site of a demolished temple during the Mughal era. The initial court order sparked protests, with Muslim groups arguing they were misinformed about the proceedings. Footage shared online depicted chaotic scenes around the mosque, littered with construction debris.
Despite claims from protesters that the police had shot three men, officials have explicitly denied employing lethal force. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated that "no weapons were used that could take anyone's life." The ongoing mosque survey controversy follows a series of similar disputes across the country, where Hindu groups assert that historical Muslim rulers destroyed temples for mosque construction.
The situation intensified as more protesters gathered during the second survey attempt, leading police to use tear gas and plastic bullets to control the crowds. Police chief Aunjaneya Kumar Singh identified the deceased as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, attributed with injuries from gunfire that occurred amid the clashes.
Criticism has emerged from opposition leaders against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the government of provoking violence for political advantage—an assertion that the state denies. Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak reiterated that law enforcement would not tolerate vigilante justice, committing to a thorough inquiry into the incidents. Simultaneously, Mahmood Madani, the head of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, expressed concern over ongoing mosque-related disputes, deeming them a violation of Indian legislation.
The survey stemmed from a petition claiming the mosque was constructed on the site of a demolished temple during the Mughal era. The initial court order sparked protests, with Muslim groups arguing they were misinformed about the proceedings. Footage shared online depicted chaotic scenes around the mosque, littered with construction debris.
Despite claims from protesters that the police had shot three men, officials have explicitly denied employing lethal force. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated that "no weapons were used that could take anyone's life." The ongoing mosque survey controversy follows a series of similar disputes across the country, where Hindu groups assert that historical Muslim rulers destroyed temples for mosque construction.
The situation intensified as more protesters gathered during the second survey attempt, leading police to use tear gas and plastic bullets to control the crowds. Police chief Aunjaneya Kumar Singh identified the deceased as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, attributed with injuries from gunfire that occurred amid the clashes.
Criticism has emerged from opposition leaders against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the government of provoking violence for political advantage—an assertion that the state denies. Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak reiterated that law enforcement would not tolerate vigilante justice, committing to a thorough inquiry into the incidents. Simultaneously, Mahmood Madani, the head of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, expressed concern over ongoing mosque-related disputes, deeming them a violation of Indian legislation.
