There was such a buzz regarding the study of Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, that it reached Lucknow. Senior officials were immediately dispatched to the scene. The DGP itself is closely monitoring the situation. When the atmosphere calmed down on Sunday afternoon, the police began the flag march. In addition to the PAC, RRF and RAF companies were also deployed to the city. However, by then four people had lost their lives in vandalism, arson, stoning and shooting. There is currently tremendous tension in the area. In addition to the Internet, schools and universities are also closed.
Let us tell you that yesterday there was a ruckus during the poll at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal town. The miscreants pelted stones at the police behind Jama Masjid, set fire to vehicles parked on the roadside, resulting in cars and bikes being reduced to ashes. The situation was such that there were piles of bricks, stones and slippers on the roads. Subsequently, municipal teams had to be deployed to remove them. Municipal employees filled many tractors with these bricks, stones and slippers and cleaned the road. Additionally, with the help of JCB, the burnt vehicles were removed from the road.
According to the police, the people present among the crowd of miscreants had kept the minors ahead. Everyone had bricks and stones in their hands. These stone-throwers had covered their faces. During the stoning that lasted about an hour and a half, the streets were covered with bricks and stones, making it difficult for people to walk. The police somehow dispersed the crowd using tear gas and lathicharge grenades. At the same time, at night the rigor increased to such an extent that an atmosphere similar to an undeclared curfew was created in the city.
Currently, Sambhal district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and banned entry of outsiders till November 30. District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia said on Sunday night that this order was issued in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). The order, which came into force with immediate effect, states: “No outsider, other social organization or public representative shall enter the district limits without the permission of the competent authority.” In case of violation of the order, measures will be taken according to article 223 of the BNS.
Four people died and police officers were also injured.
Besides DM, SP, Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh and DIG Muniraj ji have inspected the place with force. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner said – The miscreants opened fire… The PRO of the Superintendent of Police was shot in the leg, the Circle Officer was hit by shrapnel and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence. A constable also suffered serious head injuries, while a deputy collector suffered a broken leg. At the same time, Naeem, Bilal, Noman and another person have died. Two died from gunshot wounds from domestically manufactured pistols.
At the same time, once the chaos subsided, 21 people, including two women, were arrested and an investigation was launched. A case will be registered against the people involved in the incident under the National Security Act (NSA). Internet services were suspended for 24 hours in Sambhal tehsil and the district administration declared a holiday in all schools on Monday.
There was a tense situation around the mosque studio.
It is noteworthy that a tense situation has prevailed in Sambhal since November 19, when Jama Masjid was questioned for the first time on the court’s order. The petition stated that there was a Harihar temple at this site. The trouble began early on Sunday morning when, after the investigation team started working, a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started raising slogans.
District officials said the survey could not be completed Tuesday and was scheduled for Sunday to avoid disruption to afternoon prayers.
On the other hand, Supreme Court advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, petitioner in this case, said that the court of civil judge (High Division) ordered formation of a ‘Lawyer Commission’ to inspect the mosque. The court has said that the report should be submitted after conducting a videography and photography study through the commission.
Local lawyer Gopal Sharma, from the Hindu side, had earlier claimed that there was previously a temple at this place which was demolished by the Mughal emperor Babar in 1529. While the Muslim side says this is a violation of the Worship Act, 1991. .The mosque cannot be changed. The atmosphere is deteriorating with the submission of petitions.
The Muslim side said this
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani expressed his displeasure and grief over the Sambhal violence. Madani said: Jamiat does not support violence by any party or miscreants. But the brutal action of the police is not only unjust but also discriminatory, which is why innocent people lost their lives.
Meanwhile, former Moradabad MP Dr ST Hasan said: We do not agree with the court’s decision to conduct the survey. The Places of Worship Act 1991 states that a place of worship of any religion that existed before 15 August 1947 cannot be converted into a place of worship of another religion. Ordering a survey is a violation of the law. What was the need to conduct a survey? Jama Masjid is 500 years old.
