Violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a historic Mughal-era mosque. The survey, triggered by a petition alleging that a Hindu temple (Harihar temple) once occupied the site, sparked intense protests, leading to deadly clashes between local demonstrators and security forces.
The violence resulted in the deaths of four individuals—three on Sunday and one more on Monday—along with several others injured, including police and administrative personnel. Protesters engaged in widespread property destruction, arson, and stone-throwing, which quickly escalated the unrest. In response, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders, suspending internet services in Sambhal tehsil and restricting entry to the area until November 30th. Schools were also closed as a precaution.
The unrest has ignited a political storm, with an FIR naming key members of the Samajwadi Party (SP), including MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, the son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood. The police have arrested 25 individuals, with over 100 more reportedly identified through CCTV footage. MP Barq was previously served a notice under section 168 of the BNS on November 23rd, adding further fuel to the controversy.
This incident has led to a fierce political battle, with opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and Congress accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of stoking religious tensions for political gain. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has accused the state government of orchestrating the violence, while Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have alleged that the BJP is exploiting the situation for electoral advantage. On the other hand, the BJP claims that the violence was premeditated by those seeking to disrupt the legal survey process, particularly following the party’s strong performance in recent Uttar Pradesh Assembly bypolls.
While the situation remained calm on Monday, a heavy police presence continued to patrol the area around the Shahi Jama Masjid. Streets were largely deserted, and while some businesses reopened, the atmosphere remained tense. Authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry to investigate the causes of the violence. Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that the deaths were caused by gunshot wounds from country-made weapons, although further details are yet to be disclosed. The long-term repercussions of this event, especially on communal relations in the region, remain uncertain.
