Key Points
- A clash erupted in Sambhal over a mosque survey, ordered by the court.
- Protesters threw stones at the survey team, leading police to fire tear gas.
- The survey followed a complaint claiming the mosque was originally a temple.
- Authorities increased security, including “binding down” 35 people.
- The complaint was filed by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, questioning the mosque’s history.
Looma News
A violent clash took place in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday when a group of protesters opposed an official survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey was ordered by the court after a complaint claimed the mosque was originally a Hindu temple. Hundreds of protesters gathered near the mosque as the survey team arrived. The situation quickly escalated when the crowd began throwing stones at the survey team, leading the police to use tear gas to break up the crowd.
Uttar Pradesh’s top cop, Prashant Kumar, said, “A survey is being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court. Some anti-social elements have thrown stones. The police and senior officers are on the scene. The situation is under control, and the police will track down the stone throwers and take legal action.” Despite the violent protest, the police managed to keep control of the situation, with a heavy presence in the area.
The survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid stems from a complaint filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain. Jain, who has represented the Hindu side in several major cases, argues that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, the Hari Har Mandir, which was partially destroyed by Mughal emperor Babar in 1529. This historical claim has added to the rising tensions in the area.
In response to the unrest, local authorities took steps to prevent further violence. On Saturday, they “bound down” 35 individuals, requiring them to sign a bond for up to Rs 10 lakh, ensuring they would maintain peace and avoid inciting more trouble. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any further disturbances and maintain public order.
