Violent clashes erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque. The survey was prompted by a petition claiming the mosque was built on the site of a destroyed temple. Four people died and dozens were injured in the clashes between protesters and police.
Authorities have registered cases in connection with the violence and have taken measures to prevent further unrest, including suspending internet services and shutting schools. Videos and images shared on social media show the aftermath of the clashes, with slippers, bricks, and stones scattered around the mosque. Protesters allege that four men were shot by police, but authorities deny using weapons that could take lives.
The controversy surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid is part of a larger series of disputes in which Hindu groups claim Mughal rulers destroyed temples to build mosques. Muslim groups are currently fighting legal cases related to these claims in various courts.
Clashes in Sambhal over mosque survey
Tensions had been building in Sambhal since Tuesday when a local court ordered a video-recorded survey of the mosque. The survey was conducted hours after a petition claimed Mughal ruler Babur destroyed the Hari Har temple to build the mosque in the 1520s. Muslim groups in Sambhal protested the initial survey, alleging a lack of prior notice and questioning the speed of the court order.
The second survey on Sunday morning turned violent when protesters gathered near the mosque and shouted slogans at the survey team. Police say protesters pelted stones at them, forcing them to use tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse the crowds and escort the survey team to safety. Opposition leaders have criticized the state government, accusing it of orchestrating the violence for political gain, which the government denies.
Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, an organization of Islamic scholars, condemned disputes around mosques in the country, saying they violate Indian laws. The situation in Sambhal remains tense as authorities investigate the incident and work to maintain order.
