INTRODUCTION
Communal tensions are running high in Sambhal, a small town in Uttar Pradesh after a local court ordered a survey of the historic Jama Masjid mosque. The move has sparked widespread protests and violence, resulting in the loss of five lives and injuring many more.
The incident has eerie echoes of the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, which led to one of the most devastating communal tensions in India’s history. As communal tensions continue to simmer in Sambhal, concerns are growing about the potential for further violence and the implications for India’s fragile communal harmony.
In this article, we will delve into the background of the dispute, the events leading up to the violence, and the implications of this incident for India’s social fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISPUTE
The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been a bone of contention between Hindu and Muslim groups for several years causing communal tensions and violence. The mosque, built during the reign of Mughal emperor Babur, who conquered the region in the 16th century, is believed by many Hindus to have been constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Kalki, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The Jama Masjid “is a protected monument”, notified on December 22, 1920, under Section 3, sub-section (3) of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904. It has been “declared as Monument of National importance and figures on the website of ASI, Agra circle Moradabad division” in the list of centrally protected monuments.
The dispute over the mosque’s origins has been simmering for decades, with occasional outbursts of violence and communal tensions. In recent years, the issue has gained renewed attention, with Hindu groups demanding that the mosque be demolished and a temple built in its place.
The mosque management committee and local Muslim leaders have consistently denied the allegations, pointing out that the mosque has been in existence for centuries and has been maintained and protected by successive governments. They have also accused Hindu groups of trying to create communal tensions and destabilize the peace in the region.
WHO HAS FILED THE CASE?
Eight petitioners have filed the case in the Sambhal court. These include advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who is also a lawyer in the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute; Advocate Parth Yadav; and Mahant Rishiraj Giri, the mahant of the Kalki Devi temple in Sambhal. Other petitioners are Noida resident Ved Pal Singh; and Sambhal residents Rakesh Kumar, Jitpal Yadav, Madanpal, and Deenanath.
THE COURT RULING AND SURVEY
In a move widely seen as inflammatory, a local court in Sambhal ordered a survey of the Jama Masjid mosque on November 19, 2024. The survey was conducted by a team of officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who were tasked with determining whether the mosque was built on a pre-existing Hindu temple site.
The court’s decision was based on a petition filed by a local Hindu group, which claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Kalki. The petitioners had demanded that the court order a survey of the mosque to determine its origins and whether it was built on a Hindu religious site.
The plea claims there is a “centuries-old Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki in the heart of the city of Sambhal which is being used forcibly and unlawfully” by the Jama Masjid Committee.
The petition says that “Sambhal is a historical city and holds unique significance deeply rooted in Hindu Shastras, according to which it is a sacred site where an incarnation of Lord Vishnu known as Kalki manifest in the future, a Divine figure yet to make an appearance”.
The survey was conducted amidst tight security, with a large contingent of police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents caused by communal tensions. However, despite the precautions, the survey sparked widespread protests and violence, with many Muslim groups and individuals objecting to the move.
The mosque management committee and local Muslim leaders condemned the survey, describing it as a “provocative” and “unwarranted” move. They argued that the survey was an attempt to undermine the mosque’s legitimacy and create communal tensions in the region.
VIOLENCE AND AFTERMATH
The communal tensions in Sambhal eventually boiled over into violence on November 24, 2024, when a group of protesters clashed with police personnel outside the Jama Masjid mosque. The violence resulted in the loss of five lives, with several others injured.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with protesters hurling stones and bricks at the police, who responded with tear gas and baton charges. The violence spread to other parts of the town, with reports of shops and vehicles being torched.
The authorities were caught off guard by the scale of the violence, and it took several hours to bring the situation under control. The police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order, and the town imposed a curfew to prevent further violence and communal tensions.
In the aftermath of the violence, the authorities have arrested several people, including some local leaders of Hindu and Muslim groups. The police have also filed cases against several hundred people for their alleged role in the violence.
The violence in Sambhal has been widely condemned by politicians and community leaders, who have appealed for calm and restraint. The incident has also raised concerns about the potential for further communal tensions in other parts of the country.
IMPLICATIONS AND REACTIONS
The violence in Sambhal has significant implications for communal harmony in India. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for further communal violence in other parts of the country, particularly in areas with a history of communal tensions.
Politicians and community leaders have condemned the violence and communal tensions, with many calling for calm and restraint. The Prime Minister’s Office has issued a statement expressing concern over the violence and appealing for peace and harmony.
The opposition parties have criticized the ruling government for its handling of the situation, accusing it of failing to prevent the violence and protect the rights of minority communities. The Congress party has demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence and the circumstances leading up to it.
The Muslim community has expressed outrage and shock over the violence, with many leaders accusing the authorities of bias and discrimination leading to more communal tensions. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has issued a statement condemning the violence and demanding action against those responsible.
The Hindu community has also reacted strongly to the violence, with many leaders accusing Muslim groups of provoking the clashes. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued a statement blaming Muslim fundamentalists for the violence and demanding action against them.
CONCLUSION
The violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is a stark reminder of the deep-seated communal tensions that continue to simmer in India. The dispute over the Jama Masjid mosque and the subsequent violence has highlighted the need for greater dialogue and understanding between different communities.
As India grapples with the aftermath of the violence, it is clear that the country needs to take a long, hard look at its communal fault lines. The government, civil society, and community leaders must work together to address the root causes of communal tensions and promote greater understanding and tolerance between different communities.
Ultimately, India’s path to peace and harmony lies in recognizing and respecting the country’s diversity and promoting a culture of inclusivity and tolerance. As the country moves forward from the violence in Sambhal, it is hoped that this incident will serve as a wake-up call for Indians to come together and build a more harmonious and inclusive society.
– SHEELU KUMARI
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