Tension Escalates in Uttar Pradesh City Following Mosque Survey Violence

Protests and violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh have led to three deaths amid a court-ordered survey of the historic Jama Masjid, triggering widespread unrest and political accusations.

Sambhal city, located in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh, remains on high alert following violent protests that resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries during a contentious survey of the Jama Masjid, a mosque dating back to the Mughal era. The clashes erupted when local authorities initiated the court-mandated survey, ordered after a petition surfaced alleging that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Hindu temple destroyed centuries ago.

In the aftermath, police reported detaining 21 individuals, while internet services have been suspended and schools closed temporarily as a precautionary measure. Social media platforms have been flooded with images depicting the chaos around the mosque, where debris such as bricks and stones scattered amidst the unrest.

Reports suggest that the fatalities occurred during a response to the protestors’ aggressive actions, including stone-pelting. Police Superintendent Krishan Kumar denied any use of lethal weapons, claiming that the situation was addressed with non-fatal measures. He stated, “No weapons were used that could take anyone's life.”

The mosque has been the focal point of an ongoing dispute, reflecting broader tensions in India where various groups claim historical injustice regarding places of worship. Local Muslim communities have raised concerns over the sudden and urgent nature of the court’s survey order, which they argue did not allow for adequate communication or preparation.

The initial survey of the Jama Masjid took place on Tuesday before security deteriorated on Sunday during a subsequent inspection. A senior police official indicated that a large demonstration evolved into violence, forcing authorities to resort to tear gas and plastic bullets to control the situation.

Opposition leaders have criticized the government, accusing it of inciting unrest for political gain, a claim that authorities have firmly rejected. Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak emphasized that law and order must prevail in the face of such provocations. Mahmood Madani, leader of the prominent Islamic organization Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, also condemned the ongoing disputes surrounding religious sites, arguing they breach India’s legal framework and create societal discord.