Arrests Made Following Mosque Survey Violence in Sambhal, India

Arrests Made Following Mosque Survey Violence in Sambhal, India

Dozens Arrested After Deadly Mosque Survey Violence in Sambhal, India

Authorities in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested dozens of individuals, imposed an internet shutdown, closed schools, and heightened security after violent clashes erupted over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque.

The violence on Sunday claimed the lives of at least three Muslim men—Naeem, Bilal, and Noman—with a fourth victim, a 19-year-old man, succumbing to injuries later, according to local reports. Protesters opposing the survey clashed with police, escalating tensions in the area.

Senior police officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh announced restrictions in Sambhal, including the closure of educational institutions, a ban on public gatherings, and limits on entry to the city without official permission until November 30. Sambhal police chief Krishan Kumar Bishnoi confirmed the arrest of 25 individuals and complaints against approximately 2,500 people, including local MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who has been accused of inciting violence—a charge he denies.

Controversial Mosque Survey

The survey was permitted by a local court following a petition by pro-Hindutva lawyer Hari Shankar Jain, claiming the mosque was constructed on a Hindu temple site. While a previous survey on November 19 was conducted without incident, Sunday’s effort sparked backlash from the local Muslim community, who viewed it as an attempt to seize the mosque and provoke communal strife.

The protests escalated into violence as demonstrators hurled stones at police, who responded with tear gas and firearms. Authorities reported 16 police officers were seriously injured. Videos circulating online showed scenes of chaos, with vehicles set ablaze and stone pelting.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the 1992 demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, which led to nationwide riots and the deaths of nearly 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.

Political Fallout

Opposition leaders have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting religious tensions for political gain. Akhilesh Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, blamed the government for the unrest, while the Congress Party called for a judicial inquiry into the violence.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the killings, describing them as murder. He criticized the court's “ex-parte order” for rushing the survey without hearing from mosque caretakers. Other lawmakers have raised the issue in Parliament, urging discussions on the killings and the broader implications of the survey.

Historical and Legal Context

Critics argue that the survey violates India’s Places of Worship Act, 1991, which prohibits altering the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. Activist groups linked to the BJP have increasingly claimed that many Indian mosques were built over Hindu temples, though they offer little evidence.

This incident follows the controversial inauguration of a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque, marking a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emboldening Hindu nationalist groups. Experts warn these developments could further strain India's secular framework, where religious disputes continue to spark contemporary conflicts.

India, the world’s most populous country, is home to approximately 200 million Muslims, who have faced growing hostility and violence from Hindu nationalist groups since Modi's rise to power in 2014.