Sambhal,
29 Aug (HS): A state minister expressed grave worry over the reported
demographic shift in the western Uttar Pradesh area in response to the judicial
commission's findings on the November 2024 Sambhal incident. The three-member
panel met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday to present its
findings on the violence that erupted at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24
during an ASI-monitored mosque survey, killing four people and wounding many
more. Minister of State for Secondary Education, Gulab Devi, commented on the
study, saying, The investigation indicates that the Hindu population of
Sambhal has plummeted from 45% at the time of Independence to 15% currently.
Where has this 30%
gone? Have they moved? Did they decide to convert? Or were they slain? Based on
the report's findings, the high court or our government will take action.
The Sambhal issue began on November 19, last year, when Hindu petitioners filed
a district court suit alleging that the Shahi Jama Masjid was erected on top of
a temple.
On the same day (November 19), a court-ordered survey was performed, followed
by another on the 24th. The second survey caused severe disturbance in the
region, with four people killed and 29 policemen injured. Legal teams
representing both Hindus and Muslims took a cautious stance, stating that they
have yet to review the private report.
Advocate Gopal
Sharma, who represents the Hindu petitioners, stated that while he has not yet
reviewed the report, he believes the committee is neutral. We must believe
whatever is contained in the commission's report. We are certain that they
(panel members) drafted the report after considering evidence from both sides,
Sharma stated. Even the opposition parties seek an inquiry overseen by judicial
committees, demonstrating their independence, he noted.
Shakil Ahmed Warsi, the counsel for the Shahi Jama Masjid, stated that he will
comment on the report only after analyzing it. Warsi, on the other hand, denied
claims that the research identified demographic shifts in Sambhal. There's
nothing like it. Populations are always rising and declining. They
(Hindus) are still present in Sambhal, Warsi stated.
He also stated
that the commission's job was to examine the November 24 event, rather than to
uncover the roots of the religious order. Zafar Ali, president of Shahi Jama
Masjid, who was accused of instigating violence, stated, I was told the
judicial commission had submitted its report to the chief minister. He
stated that he has not seen the report and would only be able to comment on it
if its contents are made public. Ali also questioned how the contents of a
secret report could be leaked to the public, urging all parties to avoid
creating rumors.
According to government sources, the judicial panel study alleges that Hindus
have always been the principal target of every riot since 1947, and they were
once again the center of a conspiracy during the Sambhal flare-up.
The article
credits Uttar Pradesh Police for avoiding a bloodbath and claims the rioters
were brought in from the outside. It also relates internal fights to old
Turk-Pathan animosity, and claims that the debate over the Harihar temple,
which was supposedly replaced by the mosque, was fueled by references to
Babur's legacy, which exacerbated the situation, according to sources. The
paper notes dramatic demographic trends in Sambhal, stating that the Hindu
population plummeted from 45% at the time of independence to 15% now, while
Muslims now account for 85% of the population, according to sources. It accuses
extremist organizations, as well as illicit arms and drug networks, of
destabilising the region while complimenting prompt official response.
According to
accounts, Sambhal's history of communal violence began with a 1953 Shia-Sunni
confrontation, followed by severe riots in 1956, 1959, 1962 (when Jan Sangh MLA
Mahesh Gupta was stabbed), 1966, and 1976, when a mosque committee disagreement
and the death of a maulvi provoked temple assaults and curfew.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi