Wed Mar 12 10:12:40 UTC 2025: **UP CM Condemns Forced Religious Conversion Amid Sambhal Mosque Controversy**
**Lucknow, March 12, 2025** – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today denounced the forced conversion of religious beliefs, citing the ongoing controversy surrounding a mosque in Sambhal. Speaking at the “Manthan: Kumbh and Beyond” event in Lucknow, organized by the RSS-linked Organiser, Adityanath asserted that the actions taken against the Sambhal mosque were unacceptable.
He claimed historical evidence shows a Vishnu temple existed in Sambhal long before Islam, referencing scriptures dating back 5,000 years. Adityanath specifically mentioned the temple’s destruction in 1526, linking it to the demolition of the Ram temple in Ayodhya two years later, both allegedly by the same individual. The CM emphasized the historical precedence of the Sambhal site, highlighting that its religious significance predates Islam by at least 2,000 years.
These remarks follow rising tensions in Sambhal since November, stemming from a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The survey fueled speculation that the mosque was built on the site of a previously demolished Hindu temple. Adityanath’s statement appears aimed at addressing these concerns and calming the situation.
First Piper 