The Jama Masjid in Sambhal has become a focal point of controversy amid claims that it was originally a Hindu temple. A survey was conducted following a court order, sparking violence, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and numerous injuries. Locals claim the youths were killed by police gunfire, though the police have denied these allegations
But were the allegations of locals real? Did the police shoot the five young individuals? Or was it false? To learn the details of the violence, FoEJ Media went on the ground and spoke to the families of the deceased, locals, e-rickshaw drivers, shopkeepers, and others.
The brother of Bilal told FoEJ Media that his sibling was on his way to his shop when he learned about the clashes. Fearing for his safety, Bilal chose to return home but was shot before he could reach there.
Salman further said that he received a call informing him that Bilal had been injured in the gunfire and was being treated at the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, Salman asked his brother about the incident, to which Bilal replied, “Police ne goli maardi.”
Bilal was later transferred to a hospital in Moradabad, where he passed away. Salman claims that in their first information report, they stated that the police were responsible for the gunfire during the clashes, and one of the bullets struck Bilal, leading to his death. However, Salman alleges that authorities pressured them to remove the police’s name from the report.
“We included the police’s name in the FIR, but the police insisted that we remove it. They were applying pressure on us until we did so,” Salman said.
“The government should view everyone from the same perspective, not based on Hindu or Muslim identity. The wrongdoings happening against Muslims are being completely ignored by the government. There should be equal treatment for everyone,” Salman added.
In the vicinity of Bilal’s house, another brother, Taslim, mourned the loss of a sibling, Naeem.
Taslim told FoEJ Media that his brother Naeem was at the market when the clashes erupted and was allegedly shot by the police.
“I asked my brother who shot him, and he said it was the police,” Taslim said.
“A video showing the police firing has gone viral; what more evidence is needed? The public is saying that it was the police who fired the shots.”
Taslim further told FoEJ Media that Naeem was admitted to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
“They beat me, insulted me, and said, You are stone pelters…”
Taslim further stated that the police took Naeem’s body with them, and when he went to the police station to retrieve it, the police allegedly beat him, insulted him, and called him a stone pelter.
“The body was kept at home, but the police demanded it from us. We didn’t want to hand over the dead body,” Taslim said.
“The police said they needed to see where the injury was,” Taslim added.
“When we went to collect the body, the police beat us, insulted us, abused us, and said, ‘You have no brothers here; go; you are stone pelters.'” Taslim further said.
How did the clash break out in Sambhal?
Violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on November 24, 2024, following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which has become a contentious issue due to claims that it was built over a Hindu temple. The survey, mandated by the court, caused widespread protests, leading to heightened tensions in the area.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least five people, with local residents alleging that police gunfire was responsible for the fatalities. In response to the unrest, authorities enforced prohibitory orders, restricted access to outsiders, and suspended internet services in a bid to prevent further violence.
On November 29, the Supreme Court intervened, halting the survey and related actions until the Allahabad High Court could review the matter. A judicial inquiry has also been launched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence, with both local authorities and the public awaiting the findings.
The Political Uproars Following the Clashes
Opposition parties have condemned the BJP in the wake of the violence. The Congress accused the police of directly firing at protesters, calling it the “horrifying outcome of a well-planned conspiracy” by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP-RSS. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also hit out at the BJP, alleging that the government and administration orchestrated the violence to “divert attention from electoral malpractice.”
The BJP responded by accusing the INDIA alliance of attempting to incite unrest following their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The party stated that those dissatisfied with judicial rulings should seek legal remedies. A BJP spokesperson also blamed the “ghamandia alliance”—a term frequently used by party leaders to refer to the INDIA bloc—for provoking the violence.
