Shahi Jama Masjid Survey: In Sambhal, western Uttar Pradesh, a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid has sparked unrest, leading to a standoff between local residents and the police. This incident highlights escalating tensions surrounding claims that the mosque sits on the site of an ancient Harihar temple, as alleged by a recent legal petition.
On Tuesday, a case was filed in the Sambhal court asserting that the Shahi Jama Masjid is actually a Harihar temple. Following this, the court instructed the local administration to conduct a survey to assess the mosque premises. The survey was first carried out under the supervision of an Advocate Commissioner alongside administrative officials, as part of compliance with the court’s order.
Resistance from local residents turned into a full-scale protest
The survey team initially arrived on Tuesday, marking the beginning of heightened tensions in the area. Despite adequate security measures, when the team came again on Sunday morning to continue the survey, resistance from local residents turned into a full-scale protest. By 6:00 a.m., the survey team had arrived at the mosque premises, and within hours, locals began gathering and expressing their opposition.
The tension reportedly escalated around 8:30 a.m., as more people assembled at the site. According to an eyewitness, the situation quickly became volatile. Police officers were seen trying to calm the crowd and maintain order as the standoff continued to intensify.
Stone pelted, police resort to lathhi charge
As the situation grew tense, the protest turned violent, with some people allegedly resorting to stone pelting. In response, the police took measures to control the crowd, including firing tear gas shells and using lathicharge (baton charges) to disperse the protesters. The authorities had deployed significant security forces around the mosque, with Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar stating that all necessary arrangements were in place to ensure public safety.
The survey team was initially forced to halt its work due to the escalating violence, and the police worked to regain control of the area. According to officials, the crowd first gathered outside the mosque premises, chanting slogans and confronting the survey team. After a brief attempt to communicate with the protesters, the survey team entered the mosque to resume their work. However, a group of youths reportedly began pelting stones at the team, leading to a renewed call for order from the police.
Efforts to Restore Order
Following the initial unrest, members of the mosque committee and police officials attempted to pacify the crowd and restore calm. Local authorities urged residents to respect the judicial process and refrain from violence. Despite these efforts, sporadic outbursts of protest continued, with small groups reportedly gathering in nearby lanes and again throwing stones.
The survey resumed after authorities brought the situation back under control. Currently, police remain stationed outside the mosque to prevent further escalation and to ensure the safety of both residents and officials involved in the survey.
The recent tensions stem from a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who, representing the Hindu side, argued that the mosque is built over an ancient Harihar temple. This claim prompted the court to order a survey, sparking resistance from locals who oppose this recharacterization of the mosque’s historical significance. A similar survey had been conducted on November 19, with members of both the local police and mosque management present.
As of now, the situation in Sambhal remains tense but under control, with authorities closely monitoring the area. Local leaders and community members have appealed to residents to maintain peace and allow the legal process to unfold without further disruption. The court’s decision on the mosque’s status remains pending, and the next steps will depend on the findings of the ongoing survey.
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