Authorities shutdown schools, internet in UP's Sambhal as violence over mosque survey claims 4 lives

As chaos erupted on Nov 24 in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, four people were killed and many others were injured, including 24 police and administrative officials. Schools were closed, and internet services were suspended.

The clashes began between the villagers and the police during a court-ordered inspection of a Mughal-era mosque, the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Due to allegations that it was constructed on the location of a Hindu temple, the mosque is at the center of a heated legal dispute.

A mob pelted the police and survey crew with stones and set fire to the vehicles. The police used baton charges and tear gas to scatter the crowd.

Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner, said the miscreants fired bullets during the chaos. An official got hit by a gunshot.

Around 20 police officers were also hurt in the incident. A constable, who suffered an injury to the head, is said to be critical.

"Shots were fired by the miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets, and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," said Singh.

"There were groups on three sides. One from the front, one from the right, and one from the left. They were continuously pelting stones. Police used force so the survey team could be safely escorted out. Tear gas shells were also fired. Plastic bullets were used," Singh added.

According to the divisional commissioner, the violence began as the survey team was departing after the survey was over.

Singh officially confirmed four deaths, saying that one family did not inform the police or sent the body for an autopsy.

“The police are in the process of filing a FIR against the rioters at the Nakhasa police station," Singh said.

Videos circulated on social media showed the crowd throwing stones at the police from the Shahi Jama Masjid and surrounding buildings.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar was seen in a recorded video urging stone-pelters to refrain from using violence.

"Please don't spoil your future for these politicians," said Kumar.

Kumar denied reports that the cops fired on the mob. He said nonlethal pellet guns were used.

"Police utilized pellet guns. No weapons capable of killing anyone were used," he added.

According to an official, 21 people—including two women—have been taken into custody, and an investigation has been launched. Several kinds of weapons were found. Police also discovered bullet shells of various bores.

"As many as 21 people have been detained. Several kinds of weapons have been recovered from them. Many shells of different bores have been recovered at the spot where the firing took place," the officer said.

Those suspected of being involved in the attack will be charged under the strict National Security Act (NSA).

The district government announced a holiday for all students up to Class 12 on Nov 25 and blocked internet access in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours.

Additionally, authorities have prohibited any outsider, social group, or public official from visiting Sambhal without the orders of the authorities till Nov 30.

Since the Jama Masjid was surveyed on Nov 19 on the orders of a local court after a petition alleging that a Harihar temple stood there, Sambhal has been tense.

According to the officials, the survey was scheduled for the morning of Nov 24 in order to avoid interference with the afternoon prayers that are regularly done, as it could not be finished on Nov 19.

Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, said that in 1529, Mughal Emperor Babur destroyed the temple that had previously existed there.

Critics see the survey as a provocation that breaches the sanctity of religious sites as guaranteed by the Places of Worship Act, 1991, while supporters contend that it is an essential step in revealing historical realities.

Officials carried out the survey as scheduled in spite of the violence.

“As directed by the court, the survey team carried out a thorough inspection of the site, supported by photos and videography,” said advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, a petitioner in the case.

The deadline for submitting the survey report is Nov 29.

Jain and his father, Hari Shankar Jain, have previously defended Hindus in numerous issues involving places of worship, such as the conflict between the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), said that the Supreme Court should "immediately" take notice of the "conspiracy to spread tension in the name of survey."

"A case of disturbing peace and harmony should be registered against those who took sloganeers with them with the aim of disturbing social harmony, and the Bar Association should also take disciplinary and punitive action against them. There was no hope from the UP government and administration, nor is there any now," he posted on X.

Ajay Rai, the head of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, said that under the government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, incidents of violence were "increasing day by day" in the state.

However, the BJP retaliated by saying that anybody who disagreed with court orders ought to pursue legal action.

"Nobody has any right to break the law. If a court has passed an order, it will be implemented. The judicial process is available for those who want the order amended," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.