Authorities in the northern Indian city of Sambhal have taken drastic measures to restore order after violent clashes erupted following a court-ordered survey of a 16th-century mosque. The survey, sparked by a Hindu lawyer’s petition claiming the mosque was built on a Hindu temple site, led to protests and unrest, leaving four people dead. On Monday, the government closed all schools and colleges in the city, suspended internet services, and imposed strict restrictions on public gatherings to prevent further violence.
Around 1,000 Muslim protesters gathered outside the Shahi Jama Masjid on Sunday to block the survey team, escalating tensions between religious groups. The standoff turned violent when protesters threw stones at the police, prompting a response with tear gas and minor force. Videos from the scene showed widespread chaos, with vehicles set on fire and clashes between police and protesters. Despite the violence, the survey continued as planned.
Local authorities have now banned outsiders, social organizations, and public representatives from entering Sambhal without prior permission until November 30. The unrest has reignited longstanding religious tensions in India, particularly over claims from Hindu nationalist groups that mosques were historically built on the ruins of Hindu temples during the Mughal era.
This incident comes on the heels of another controversial event earlier this year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple built on the site of a mosque in Ayodhya, further fueling Hindu nationalist sentiments. The Sambhal petition cites historical texts claiming the mosque was constructed on the remains of a Hindu temple destroyed by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529. While proponents of the survey see it as an effort to uncover historical truths, critics argue it violates the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which mandates maintaining the religious status quo of sites as they were in 1947.
As the situation continues to develop, tensions are expected to remain high, with religious disputes threatening to destabilize the region.
Source: Swifteradio.com
