The northern Indian city of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh is reeling from violent clashes that erupted during a court-ordered survey of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, leaving four people dead and dozens injured on Sunday.
The violence has sparked widespread outrage, with critics accusing authorities of mishandling the situation and fueling communal tensions.
The conflict centers on claims by Hindu groups that the 16th-century mosque was built over a destroyed temple.
A local court ordered a video-recorded survey of the site last week after receiving a petition alleging that Mughal emperor Babur demolished the Hari Har temple in the 1520s to construct the mosque.
Muslim groups in Sambhal expressed outrage over the survey, alleging they were not informed beforehand and questioning the urgency of the court’s directive.
A second survey conducted on Sunday morning provoked protests outside the mosque, leading to clashes between demonstrators and police.
As tensions escalated, protesters reportedly hurled stones at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse the crowd.
The Superintendent of Police, Krishan Kumar denied allegations that police fired live rounds, asserting, “No weapons were used that could take anyone’s life.”
However, demonstrators allege that four people were killed in police firing, a claim authorities have strongly refuted.
Images and videos circulating on social media show debris, including bricks and slippers, scattered around the mosque, highlighting the intensity of the confrontation.
Authorities have registered four cases in connection with the clashes, suspended internet services, and closed schools in the area for a day.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak assured the public that investigations were underway, stating, “No one is allowed to take law into their own hands.”
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticized the BJP-led state government, accusing it of leveraging the controversy for political gain. The government has denied these allegations, maintaining that it acted to uphold law and order.
The controversy over the Shahi Jama Masjid reflects a larger pattern of disputes over historic mosques across India.
Hindu groups claim that several mosques built during the Mughal era were constructed on the ruins of Hindu temples, a narrative that has led to numerous legal battles and heightened communal tensions.
The president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Mahmood Madani, condemned the growing disputes around mosques, stating they violate Indian laws and threaten social harmony.
