Sun Nov 24 21:03:28 UTC 2024: ## Sambhal Masjid Survey Leads to Violence, Three Dead

**Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh:** A court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in violent clashes on Sunday, November 24th, leaving three people dead. The violence erupted after a team arrived to conduct a second survey of the mosque, following a local court order on November 19th.

The court order, issued by Civil Judge (Senior Division) Aditya Singh, stemmed from a petition alleging that the mosque was built in 1526 after demolishing a Hindu temple. Eight petitioners, including lawyer Hari Shankar Jain (also involved in the Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath dispute), filed the petition. They claimed the mosque occupies the site of a centuries-old Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki, and that the mosque’s construction involved the forceful and illegal appropriation of Hindu property. The petition included claims that the temple was built by Lord Vishwakarma at the beginning of the universe and was partially destroyed by Babur’s forces in 1527-28.

Despite the mosque’s status as a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, and its listing as a monument of “national importance” on the ASI website, the petitioners argued that the ASI has failed to act, succumbing to pressure from the Muslim community. They sought court intervention to allow access to the site for themselves and the public.

The survey, which lasted two and a half hours, was conducted under heavy police presence. Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Jiyaur Rahman Bark, criticized the petition, stating that it aimed to disrupt communal harmony. He referenced the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which protects the status quo of religious places as they existed in 1947.

The incident highlights rising religious tensions in India and comes amidst ongoing discussions about the Wakf Board and proposed amendments to its legislation. The government plans to introduce a Wakf amendment bill during the winter session, a move opposed by the opposition and Muslim organizations.

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