Four people were killed and several others were injured during violent clashes in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal. The trouble started after a court ordered officials to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid. This survey upset some people, leading to fights and creating tension in the area.

What happened in Sambhal?

The violence started on Sunday morning when officials tried to inspect the Shahi Jama Masjid, a mosque from the Mughal era. There is a legal case about the mosque, with claims that it was built where an old Hindu temple once stood.

People protesting against the survey fought with the police. They burnt vehicles and threw stones, which led the police to use tear gas and batons to control the crowd. Four people died in the clashes, and around 20 police officers were injured. One constable, who was hit on the head, is in critical condition.

District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya confirmed that two of the victims died due to bullet wounds from country-made pistols, while the cause of the third death would be determined after a post-mortem examination.

Steps taken by authorities

To control the situation, internet services in Sambhal Tehsil were stopped for 24 hours. Schools were also closed on November 25 for students up to Class 12. Authorities have banned outsiders, social groups, and public leaders from entering Sambhal without permission until November 30.

The police have arrested 21 people, including two women, and are looking into what happened. Those accused of being involved in the violence will face serious charges under the strict National Security Act (NSA).

Why was the mosque surveyed?

The trouble in Sambhal started last Tuesday when a local court ordered a survey of the Jama Masjid. This decision came after a petition claimed that a Harihar temple once existed at the mosque’s location but was destroyed by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529.

The survey was planned for Sunday morning to avoid disrupting afternoon prayers. Supporters say the survey is important to find out the history of the site. However, critics argue that it breaks the Places of Worship Act, of 1991, which protects the original status of religious sites as they were on August 15, 1947.

Even with the violence, officials managed to finish the survey on Sunday. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, one of the petitioners, said the team recorded the site using videos and photos. The report of the survey will be given to the court by November 29.

Political reactions to the violence

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the survey and accused the government of creating tension. He urged the Supreme Court to intervene, saying, "A case of disturbing peace and harmony should be registered against those who took sloganeers with them with the aim of disturbing social harmony."

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai also condemned the violence, stating, "Incidents of violence are increasing day by day under the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government."

The BJP defended the survey and stressed the importance of respecting judicial orders. Party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "Nobody has any right to break the law. If a court has passed an order, it will be implemented. The judicial process is available for those who want the order amended."