Why Is Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal District On Edge? Row Over Shahi Jama Masjid Mosque Survey Explained – News18

Last Updated:November 25, 2024, 10:17 IST

The second survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid Mosque in Sambhal was conducted on the order of a local court on November 19 in connection with a petition that claimed that the Harihar temple was demolished to built the mosque in 1526

Police and security personnel stand guard amid violence during a second survey of the Jama Masjid, claimed to be originally the site of an ancient Hindu temple, in Sambhal, on November 24, 2024. (PTI Photo)

The Sambhal Mosque survey has created a law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, where four people have been killed and several others, including police officers, have been injured.

Schools and colleges have shut down and internet has been restricted as authorities clamp down on protestors who oppose the survey.

What Was The Survey’s Outcome?

The second survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid Mosque in Sambhal was conducted on the order of a local court on November 19 in connection with a petition that claimed that the Harihar temple was demolished to built the mosque in 1526. The order was passed by the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal at Chandausi, Aditya Singh.

The petition was filed on the afternoon of November 19, and within hours, the judge appointed an ‘advocate commissioner’ to carry out an initial survey at the mosque, which was done on the same day.

“Some miscreants came out of the crowd gathered near the site and pelted stones at the police team. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control,” Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi told PTI.

Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, urged the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take control of the “temple”.

What Are The Petitioners Claiming?

Jama Masjid “is a protected monument” notified on December 22, 1920 under Section 3, sub-section (3) of Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904. It has been “declared as Monument of National importance and figures on the website of ASI, Agra circle Moradabad division” in the list of centrally protected monuments.

The petitioners, eight of them, claim that the Jama Masjid Committee is “forcibly and unlawfully” using the “centuries-old Shri Hari Har Temple” dedicated to Lord Kalki in Sambhal.

According to the petition, “Sambhal is a historical city and holds unique significance deeply rooted in Hindu Shastras, according to which it is sacred site where an incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as Kalki manifest in the future, a Divine figure yet to make an appearance”.

The petition also said the Hindu scriptures “confirm that in ancient times a unique ‘Vigrah’ consisting of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva emerged and due to this reason, it is called ‘Shri Hari Har’ temple. It says that “Shri Hari Har temple of Sambhal was made by Lord Vishwakarma Himself in the beginning of the universe”.

The petitioners argued that Babar who invaded India in 1526 AD destroyed a number of Hindu temples to show how powerful Islam was and to make “Hindus fell that they are subjects of the Islamic ruler”.

The petitioners also criticised the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) for failing to control the subject property and “not taking any action”. “The officers of ASI are silent spectators and they have succumbed to the pressure exerted by members of Muslim community,” the petition said, as quoted by The Indian Express.

The petitioners have asked that the court allows them to access the Shri Hari Har Temple – the “alleged Jama Masjid”. They have also sought a “permanent injunction restraining the defendants, their officers, workers and every person acting under them to create any hurdle”.

How Have The Muslims Reacted?

Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal Ziaur Rehman Barq has said outsiders have attempted to “disrupt” the communal harmony of the district by filing a petition in court. He further said Jama Masjid in Sambhal district is a “historical site” where Muslims have been offering prayers for several centuries. He said the Muslims will “appeal” in the court if the order from the court is “unsatisfactory”.

What Is Happening In Sambhal?

The protestors torched vehicles and pelted stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Images were shared on social media that showed protesters throwing stones at the police from atop buildings and in front of Shahi Jama Masjid.

In another purported clip, some police personnel in riot gear were seen firing gunshots towards a lane while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background, as mentioned in a PTI report.

“Shots were fired by the miscreants… the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence,” Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said.

He said a constable also suffered a serious head injury, while the deputy collector fractured his leg.

Among the 21 people detained for the violence in Sambhal are two women, and officials said those accused in the violence would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

A magisterial enquiry will be conducted in the incident, officials said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar, who urged the crowd to not incite violence, refuted allegations that the police have opened fire. He said the police used pellet guns; “no weapons were used that could take anyone’s life”.

“Weapons have also been recovered from the houses of the detained people. Firing took place from a house in Nakhasa police station area, from where two women have been detained,” he added.

According to District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya the casualty count stands at three. “The reason for the death of two of them is clear — bullet wounds from countrymade pistols. The reason for the death of the third person is not clear, but it will be after the post-mortem examination.”

The SP added that an FIR has been registered at the Sambhal Police Station and the 20-22 policemen, who were injured, were giving their statements.

The divisional commissioner said when the survey team was leaving the site after completing the survey, the crowd started pelting stones are them. “There were groups on three sides. One from the front, one from the right and one from the left. They were continuously pelting stones. Police used force so that the survey team could be taken out and escorted safely. Tear gas shells were also fired. Plastic bullets were used,” divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh said.

(with inputs from PTI)