Over 150 booked in fatehpur Row over group’s bid to‘vandalise’ tombs

On Monday, a large crowd gathered at a crossing where police had been deployed. Soon after, another group carrying sticks arrived, broke the barricades and allegedly barged into the tomb by premises pushing past the police personnel. They reportedly partially vandalised the structure and performed prayers there.

Soon after, some members of the Muslim community also reached the spot and objected to the actions.

On receiving information, senior administrative and police officials arrived at the spot with additional force and brought the situation under control by pacifying and dispersing the crowd.

An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station against 10 named and 150 unidentified persons for allegedly entering and vandalising the disputed mausoleum. No arrests have been made yet and raids are underway to trace the accused, said police.

The case has been registered on several charges, including rioting and trespassing on burial places. The police also invoked sections of the Public Property Damage Prevention Act.

Fatehpur Superintendent of Police Anoop Kumar Singh said the accused would be identified by checking videos and photographs of the incident. He added that the public has been urged to maintain peace and allow the law to take its course.

A video from the scene shows several people gathered around the tomb, waving saffron flags and repeatedly chanting “Jai Shri Ram,” as they surrounded the structure. Another video clip shows people hurling stones at the structure.
A heavy police presence, including three companies of the PAC and several officers, has been deployed near the site to maintain peace, with round-the-clock security in place.

The dispute concerns a structure in Abu Nagar locality, which has a mixed population, that protesters allege is not the tomb of Nawab Abdus Samad, but a temple that was altered over time.

Samiti member Abhishek Shukla, who is named in the case, said they told district officials the site was, in the past, home to the Thakurji Virajman temple, an important and ancient place for Sanatan Dharma followers, needing urgent cleaning and renovation before Krishna Janmashtami. He alleged that anti-social elements have blocked access and created fear, and sought permission for beautification, expansion and clearing the path.

Abhishek Shukla said they informed the administration that renovation work would begin on August 11 and sought permission for the temple’s beautification, renovation, and expansion, as well as for clearing the path of gatherings by anti-social elements.

Administrative officials were unreachable for comment.

BJP’s Fatehpur district president claimed that the structure is “nothing but a temple.” He said Samiti members had approached the administration seeking permission to hold prayers, but were asked to wait. When they again sought a meeting, officials did not respond. The Samiti members then approached him for support.

Angered by the “inaction”, the Samiti members went to the temple site on Monday. Mukhalal Pal claimed that prayers and an aarti were performed at the site. He, however, did not confirm if he himself was also present at the site at the time of the incident on Monday.

From the homepage

Amid India’s push to extradite Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, UK officials visit Tihar jail to inspect conditions

Gujarat ropeway accident: Six dead after cable wire snaps, probe launched into incident

Kerala’s infant mortality rate lower than US at 5 in 1,000: Health minister