Stone pelting, arson in UP’s Sambhal over survey of Shahi Jama Masjid; police resort to lathi charge, tear gas

The local residents expressed their anger by throwing stones at the police and officers who were conducting a second survey of the mosque. The first survey took place on November 19. The stone throwers, some of whom were wearing veils and carrying sharp stones, attacked the police and media personnel in the narrow lane leading to the mosque which was littered with stones and slippers.

“All the exercise is being carried out under the orders of the court, so please do not interfere with the process or engage in violence. Kindly disperse,” the loudspeakers of the mosque appealed to the restless crowd. However, they refused to move, instead shouting anti-government and anti-police slogans.

“These people belong to the nearby localities. There is not a single person in the crowd from the lane leading to the mosque. I tried to reason with them to maintain peace, but I was also struck by a pointed stone,” said Mohammed Sameer, a member of the aman (peace) committee.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi announced over the microphone, “All those who are throwing stones are being recorded on video and will face serious punitive action. Do not engage in violence; do not jeopardize your career and future. Do not be misled by certain religious leaders who are encouraging you to attack the police. Everyone involved will be arrested. Allow the court commissioner and his team to complete their responsibilities as directed by the court.”

The officer announced that Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is currently in effect in Sambhal. This section prohibits gatherings of more than four people in one location. “Your gathering near the mosque is illegal under Section 163. You will face punitive action,” stated the SP.

Masood Ali, the secretary of the managing committee of the mosque, stated that stone-pelting on the streets began shortly after the court team entered the Jama Masjid premises early Sunday morning. “We have tried to pacify the protestors, but they remain unrelenting. No one should engage in violence or hinder the court process,” he said.

Why is the survey happening at the mosque?

A local temple priest moved an application at a local court on November 19, seeking a survey of the mosque. In his application, Rishi Raj Giri, the mahant of Kalka Devi temple in Chandausi, claimed that a temple existed at the mosque’s site earlier and alleged that Muslim rulers demolished it to build the Shahi Jama Masjid in 1529.

After hearing the arguments for the next three hours, the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh directed Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Chand Raghav to carry out an initial survey of the mosque site to see if a temple existed there and sought the survey report by November 29.

By 6.15 pm last Tuesday, the advocate commissioner and a team comprising members of the Jama Masjid’s managing committee, the petitioner, and local officials had reached the mosque to carry out the first survey.

Efforts to maintain peace

The same team reached the mosque early Sunday morning for the second survey, leading to the stone pelting and lathi charge. Meanwhile, officials said efforts are being made to ensure peace.

“We are in contact with local Muslim leaders and clerics, and they have all agreed that the communal harmony of the district will not be disturbed. I have instructed that anyone found spreading rumours through social media or by any other means will face legal action,” said District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Pensiya.

“Comprehensive measures have been implemented to maintain peace in the district. Nearly 1,600 policemen have been stationed around the mosque to prevent any potential unrest,” stated police chief Bishnoi.

Reacting to the survey of the Jama Masjid, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Ziaur Rehman Barq, said, “Outsiders have attempted to disrupt the communal harmony of the district by filing a petition of this nature in court. The Supreme Court has already stated that, according to the Worship Act of 1991, all religious places that existed in 1947 will remain in their current locations. Jama Masjid in Sambhal is a historic site where Muslims have been offering prayers for several centuries. We have the right to appeal to the high court if we do not receive a satisfactory order from the local court.

The lawyer for the Jama Masjid, Zafar Ali, said the survey was conducted very hurriedly. “We will challenge the local court’s order in the high court, if needed,” said Ali.

Giri, the mahant of the Kalki Devi Temple, has asserted that he possesses evidence indicating that the Harihar Temple was demolished to construct the Jama Masjid in 1529. “We have proof to support our claim that the temple existed at that location. It was destroyed to build the Shahi Jama Masjid,” stated Vishnu Shanker Jain, the attorney representing the temple.

On the eve of the second survey, the Sambhal district administration detained 34 people, including the father of the local Samajwadi Party MP. This decision followed peaceful conclusion of namaz at the Shahi Jama Masjid on Friday.

The action was taken after the Nakhas police station submitted a report to higher authorities, indicating that Mamlukur Rehman Barq and others might make statements to gain political advantage, potentially disrupting the region’s peace.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra stated that the individuals involved, including the father of MP Ziaur Rehman Barq, have been required to submit bonds to maintain peace and order. The father of the MP has a bond set at Rs 10 lakh, while the others have bonds of Rs 5 lakh each.