• Source: 2024 Sambhal violence

On 24 November 2024, violence erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh The survey was initiated following claims that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of a Hindu temple allegedly demolished during the Mughal period. Protests against the court-ordered survey escalated into violent clashes between local residents and police, who responded with tear gas and other crowd-control measures.
The incident resulted in the deaths of five Muslim individuals, scores of others, including around 20 security personnel, were injured.




Background


The Shahi Jama Masjid, located in Sambhal, has been at the center of dispute following claims that it was constructed on the ruins of a Shri Hari temple allegedly demolished by the Mughal ruler Babur in the early 16th century. In response to a petition filed by a group of Hindu plaintiffs, led by pro-Hindutva lawyer Hari Shankar Jain and Hindu seer Mahant Rishiraj Giri, as part of a civil suit claiming right for access into the mosque. the Sambhal civil court ordered a survey of the mosque premises. The survey was conducted under the supervision of an advocate commissioner, district magistrate, and police. The survey aimed to investigate claims that the mosque was built over a demolished Hindu temple. Mosque committee members present during the inspection stated that no evidence or objects supporting the claims were found, and no objectionable symbols were discovered. This incident reflects a broader trend over years, where Hindu nationalist groups have sought judicial intervention to question the origins of Muslim religious sites across India.




Reactions


Samajwadi Party Statement: The Samajwadi Party (SP) criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and the BJP over the survey. SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei accused the BJP of provoking unrest for political gains. He said, "The Sambhal police and administration, along with the BJP, have been provoking people in the Shahi Masjid issue in the name of an ASI survey. This comes a day after the BJP claimed that it got Muslim votes in Kundarki. Is this the reward that the BJP is giving for Kundarki? What does the Places of Worship Act, 1991, say... barring the Babri Masjid and Ram Mandir issue, no other structure will be touched or changed... Exactly after the elections, the BJP has started its game once again. This game of BJP is not good for the integrity of this nation; BJP is trying to divide society."




Aftermath


The Uttar Pradesh administration imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in Sambhal to prevent further gatherings and potential violence. Investigations were launched to determine the causes and handling of the unrest. Additionally, the district administration ordered a 24-hour internet suspension in the Sambhal Tehsil following violence over a mosque survey.
After the violence, 25 people were taken into custody and seven cases were filed against 2,500 people. Those charged include Ziaur Rahman Barq, a member of the Samajwadi Party from Sambhal, and Nawab Suhail Iqbal, the son of Iqbal Mehmood, a party associate. The accused in the violence would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).




See Also


1991 Places of Worship Act
2020 Delhi riots
2024 Bahraich violence
Demolition of the Babri Masjid




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Mulayam Singh Yadav
• Demonstrasi Undang-Undang Kewarganegaraan India 2019-2020
• 2024 Sambhal violence
• 2024 in India
• Shahi Jama Masjid
• Election schedule of the 2024 Indian general election
• Moradabad
• Moradabad district
• Haroon Shahid
• Mulayam Singh Yadav
• Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh
• 1980 Moradabad riots