Three fatalities reported as authorities impose restrictions.
Tensions Escalate in Sambhal After Violent Mosque Survey Clashes
Tensions Escalate in Sambhal After Violent Mosque Survey Clashes
Violent protests erupt in Uttar Pradesh city following a court-ordered mosque survey.
Sambhal city in Uttar Pradesh, India, is on high alert following a surge of violence that resulted in three deaths and numerous injuries during protests over a court-mandated survey of the historic Jama Masjid on Sunday. The situation deteriorated as protesters allegedly clashed with police, leading to vehicles being set ablaze and stones hurled at law enforcement officers.
Authorities have responded by detaining 21 individuals linked to the incident and have implemented a temporary suspension of internet services, alongside a one-day closure of local schools. The survey, sparked by a petition claiming that the mosque sits atop the ruins of a temple razed during the Mughal era, was ordered by a local court just hours prior to the unrest.
Images circulating on social media from the chaotic scene show debris scattered about, with stones and slippers littering the mosque premises. Protesters assert that their grievances stem from police actions that resulted in the shooting of three men, an allegation that authorities have firmly rejected. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated, "No weapons were used that could take anyone’s life."
The dispute surrounding the Jama Masjid reflects broader tensions in India, where Hindu nationalist groups have long claimed that many mosques were erected at the behest of Mughal rulers who destroyed pre-existing temples. This controversy follows a trend of escalating legal battles instigated by Muslim groups contesting these claims across various judicial forums.
The unrest in Sambhal had been brewing since a video-recorded survey of the mosque was ordered on Tuesday. Local Muslim groups contested the abrupt nature of this directive, alleging they were not informed in advance and questioning the necessity of such urgency.
A second survey executed on Sunday escalated tensions as a large protest assembly confronted survey teams, resulting in chaos. Police, according to senior officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, resorted to tear gas and plastic bullets to restore order. Tragically, the three deceased have been identified as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, all of whom succumbed to gunshot wounds during the clash.
Political criticisms have surged against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with opposition leaders accusing the government of inciting the violence for its own gain, a claim the government vehemently disputes. Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak declared that authorities are actively investigating the violent outbreak, emphasizing that law and order must prevail. Mahmood Madani, head of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, condemned the ongoing mosque disputes, asserting they breach Indian legal standards.
Authorities have responded by detaining 21 individuals linked to the incident and have implemented a temporary suspension of internet services, alongside a one-day closure of local schools. The survey, sparked by a petition claiming that the mosque sits atop the ruins of a temple razed during the Mughal era, was ordered by a local court just hours prior to the unrest.
Images circulating on social media from the chaotic scene show debris scattered about, with stones and slippers littering the mosque premises. Protesters assert that their grievances stem from police actions that resulted in the shooting of three men, an allegation that authorities have firmly rejected. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar stated, "No weapons were used that could take anyone’s life."
The dispute surrounding the Jama Masjid reflects broader tensions in India, where Hindu nationalist groups have long claimed that many mosques were erected at the behest of Mughal rulers who destroyed pre-existing temples. This controversy follows a trend of escalating legal battles instigated by Muslim groups contesting these claims across various judicial forums.
The unrest in Sambhal had been brewing since a video-recorded survey of the mosque was ordered on Tuesday. Local Muslim groups contested the abrupt nature of this directive, alleging they were not informed in advance and questioning the necessity of such urgency.
A second survey executed on Sunday escalated tensions as a large protest assembly confronted survey teams, resulting in chaos. Police, according to senior officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, resorted to tear gas and plastic bullets to restore order. Tragically, the three deceased have been identified as Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman, all of whom succumbed to gunshot wounds during the clash.
Political criticisms have surged against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with opposition leaders accusing the government of inciting the violence for its own gain, a claim the government vehemently disputes. Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak declared that authorities are actively investigating the violent outbreak, emphasizing that law and order must prevail. Mahmood Madani, head of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, condemned the ongoing mosque disputes, asserting they breach Indian legal standards.
