Sun Nov 24 17:18:24 UTC 2024: **Three Killed in Clashes During Mosque Survey in Uttar Pradesh**

SAMBHAL, Uttar Pradesh – Three people were killed and several others injured Sunday in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following violent clashes during a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. The survey, the second of its kind, was prompted by a petition alleging the Jama Masjid was built on the site of an ancient Harihar temple.

Tensions escalated as locals threw stones at police conducting the survey, prompting police to respond with tear gas and minor force to disperse the crowd. Videos of the stone-throwing incidents have circulated online.

The survey, conducted by an Advocate Commissioner, was ordered by a local court following a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain. Jain cited historical texts like the Baburnama and Ain-e-Akbari as evidence supporting his claim that a Harihar temple existed at the site before being demolished by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529. He also stated the site is an ASI-protected area.

Local lawyer Gopal Sharma, representing the Hindu petitioners, echoed these claims. However, Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq strongly opposed the survey, citing a 1991 Supreme Court order protecting religious sites existing in 1947.

The survey, completed Sunday morning, will have its findings presented to the court by November 29th. The central and Uttar Pradesh governments, the mosque committee, and the Sambhal district magistrate are all named parties in the ongoing case. The incident has raised concerns about religious tensions in the region.

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