Communal tensions surged in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district on Monday when members of right-wing Hindu groups stormed a disputed historical structure, alleging it was originally a Hindu temple. Carrying sticks and saffron flags, activists vandalised the area surrounding the tomb of Nawab Abdus Samad Khan, chanting “Jai Shree Ram” under tight police presence.
The site is officially recorded under Khasra number 753 as Maqbara Mangi, a protected national property. Government records identify it as the tomb of Nawab Abdus Samad Khan Bahadur, a Faujdar under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. However, leaders of the Math Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti, backed by local BJP officials, claim the structure is a temple over a thousand years old, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Thakurji. They point to the presence of a lotus symbol and trident inside the structure as evidence of its Hindu origins.
BJP district president Mukhlal Pal led the call to gather at a local bungalow before marching to the site for a planned religious ceremony. Following the appeal, the situation escalated, prompting the district administration to deploy additional police and PAC personnel. Barricades have been installed around the site to prevent further disturbances.
Religious Leaders Dispute Claims, Call for Restraint
Despite the official designation of the structure as a tomb, several Hindu leaders insist it is a temple. Bajrang Dal district co-convenor Dharmendra Singh announced plans to conduct a pooja at the site, declaring that the administration would not be able to stop them. Vishwa Hindu Parishad state vice president Virendra Pandey also supported the claim, stating that the location contains religious symbols, a Parikrama path, and temple remnants. He criticised authorities for not taking their demands seriously and called for the site to be cleaned in preparation for Janmashtami on August 16.
In response, Muslim leaders strongly condemned the incident. Maulana Mo Naseem, National Secretary of the National Ulama Council, called the attack an attempt to distort history and incite communal disharmony. He pointed out that the tomb, which contains multiple graves, is clearly documented as such in government records. He questioned whether every mosque or tomb would now be targeted under the pretext of hidden temples.
Naseem warned that if the planned religious programme on August 11 is allowed to go ahead, the Ulama Council will organise protests. He also criticised the administration for failing to address the concerns of the Muslim community and for allowing one-sided claims to dominate the narrative.
