A Judicial Commission to Investigate Communal Violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
Four Were Killed by Gunfire During Unrest Following Mosque Survey
November 30, 2024
Shahi Jama Masjid, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh; photo courtesy of J Ansari, Creative Commons License.
A judicial commission has been established to investigate the communal violence that erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, after a second survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths and widespread unrest. The incident, which involved clashes between locals and authorities over claims that the mosque was constructed on the remains of a temple from the Mughal era, quickly escalated to a point where over 2,500 individuals were booked.
The judicial commission, comprising three members appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government, aims to ascertain the causes of the violence and determine the accountability of those involved, The New Indian Express reported.
The clashes began on Nov. 24 when a team of surveyors arrived for a follow-up inspection of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The first survey had been conducted on Nov. 19, according to The Hindu.
The subsequent survey led to tensions, resulting in stone-pelting and vehicle torching. The violence is being seen as part of an alleged trend involving targeting of Muslim institutions.
Four people were confirmed dead in the violence. According to The Hindu, Naeem, a shop owner, was among those killed, reportedly by gunshot wounds. His family has alleged that police harassment followed his death, with threats being made to force them to withdraw their claims. Another victim, Bilal Ansari, was killed while trying to close his shop. According to his brother Salman, Bilal died from a gunshot, and the lack of accountability has raised doubts about the prospects for justice.
Authorities claimed that only tear gas and rubber bullets were used during the incident, ruling out police firing as a cause of death. The state police has claimed that the autopsy results suggested that the wounds on the bodies of the victims were from bullets not consistent with the ammunition used by their personnel, as reported by Hindustan Times.
A public interest litigation (PIL) has since been filed before the Allahabad High Court by Mohammed Yusuf, Secretary of the Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz Association, seeking the registration of a first information report (FIR) against police officials and the district magistrate, as per Bar and Bench. The petition also demands the arrest of those allegedly responsible for escalating the violence. The PIL asserts that the measures taken by authorities during the protests were disproportionate.
Around 2,500 individuals have been booked by the Uttar Pradesh police in connection to the violence, including notable figures from the Samajwadi Party.
The Supreme Court has intervened, ordering lower courts to cease any further action regarding the mosque survey and urging restraint from all parties involved.
The economic impact on the local community is considerable, as businesses surrounding the mosque have largely remained shut since the violence began. Many shops in the area, predominantly Muslim-owned, have been directly affected, leaving business owners uncertain about when they can resume operations. The suspension of internet services for a week has further hindered normal activities, preventing businesses from functioning effectively and limiting residents' access to essential services.
Civil rights organisations have raised concerns about the response from the Uttar Pradesh government, including allegations of mistreatment of detainees. According to The Hindu, residents reported that police knocked on doors late at night, issuing threats and demanding that families drop any cases against authorities.
Reports also indicate that residents are living in fear of further harassment, especially among the minority community. The restriction on the entry of outsiders and representatives from social organisations until the end of the month has effectively isolated the community, limiting external oversight.
The decades-long Babri Mosque-Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute – which centred on whether a temple previously existed on the site that was demolished by Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India, centuries ago to construct a mosque – ignited widespread violence following the mosque’s demolition on Dec. 6, 1992, resulting in over 2,000 deaths. In the years since, the subsequent polarisation has led to thousands of deaths, numerous injuries, significant property damage and ongoing communal disharmony.
