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Sambhal Court Sets 5 March for Jama Masjid Survey Case Hearing

January 8, 2025, 5:00 pm

A Sambhal court has set the next hearing date for March 5 in the ongoing case regarding the Shahi Jama Masjid and the claims surrounding its survey. Shakil Ahmad Wari, the advocate for the Muslim side, confirmed that he had filed a copy of the Supreme Court’s order in the court. The order directs all lower courts to refrain from entertaining new suits requesting surveys of any places of worship until further notice.

“The Supreme Court has issued a directive to lower courts not to entertain new suits seeking surveys of any place of worship. We have submitted the copy of this order, and the court has set March 5 as the next hearing date,” said Wari, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Dispute Over Mosque’s Historical Significance

The Hindu side claims that the mosque was built over an ancient Harihar temple. However, Wari firmly denied this. Wari stated that the Muslim side would present evidence to prove that the site was always home to the Jama Masjid, not a temple. “We will prove in court that it was not a Harihar temple but the Jama Masjid. We have all the evidence,” Wari added.

Hearing Scheduled Following Violence During Survey

Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain filed a petition. This led to a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 19. He claimed that a temple once stood at the site. The survey sparked violence on November 24. The violence lead the deaths of four people and injuries to several others, including 29 police officers. In response, the Supreme Court ordered the Sambhal trial court to halt any further orders on the survey. Supreme Court also urged the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain peace and harmony in the region.

The court is set to hear both sides’ arguments on March 5, as the case continues to unfold.

Shiv-Hanuman Temple At Sambhal Will Be Revived, Says Municipal Corporation Officer

December 25, 2024, 5:33 pm

After the December communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh in which five muslims were killed and several injured over a, Archaeological Survey of India survey of Jama Masjid which discovered Hindu temple remnants, the executive officer of the Municipal Corporation has said on Wednesday that they will revive the temple as soon as possible.

Dr Manibhushan Tiwari announced an initiative to restore wells and pilgrimage sites in the city to reconnect people with their religious traditions.

This comes after a temple was rediscovered during an anti-encroachment campaign by the district police and administration on December 14 in Sambhal. The Shiv-Hanuman temple had been closed since 1978.

On December 22, a team from the ASI uncovered an age-old stepwell in Chandausi, Sambhal. The discovery came after the reopening of the Shiv-Hanuman temple, which had been closed for 46 years.

During the excavation work in the Ladam Sarai area of Sambhal An old well was also discovered by the local administration on Wednesday, Tiwari said that the restoration process involves digging and renovating wells, as well as reviving pilgrimage sites. The Municipal Council plans to invest funds, potentially with the help of the Vandhan Yojana and the Tourism Department, to give these sites a new look.

“On the initiative of the District Magistrate, we are continuously digging all the wells in the city and pilgrimage sites to restore them…In the same sequence, we have also made a plan to restore the wells we are finding. Whatever pilgrimage sites we are finding, we are going to work on their revival. With the help of Vandhan Yojana and the Tourism Department, we will invest money in it and give it a new look so that we can reconnect people with our religious traditions.,” he said.

He said that the administration also planning to beautify the Parikrama path in the region to strengthen religious tradition.

“We are also planning to beautify it, we are making a Parikrama path around it, we are making a gate there, we are marking the importance of the well on the gate itself so that we can strengthen our religious traditions,” he added.

Meanwhile, the newly reopened Kartikeshwar Mahadev temple in Sambhal district witnessed its morning aarti on Wednesday, drawing devotees from across the country.

Priest Shashikant Shukla, who led the aarti, shared that people from various regions, including Banaras, Delhi, Vrindavan, and Muzaffarpur, have been visiting the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings.

“People are coming from far-off places, such as Banaras, Delhi, Vrindavan, and Muzaffarpur. Yesterday, people from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Vrindavan came here to do Hari Kirtan. It was a great experience,” the Priest said.

Shukla also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for enabling the reopening of the temple, saying, “I’m deeply grateful to PM Modi and CM Yogi, as they enabled our Hindu community’s worship and facilitated the reopening of this temple for darshan.”

Priyanka Gandhi Highlights Unnao Rape and Sambhal Violence in Lok Sabha Debut

December 13, 2024, 2:12 pm

In her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spearheaded the opposition’s response to the government’s policies, addressing pressing issues such as the Unnao rape case and the recent violence in Sambhal. Her speech, delivered on the first day of a significant parliamentary debate, was met with a mix of cheers and jeers from the assembly.

Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks came as a direct rebuttal to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s opening statements. She shared poignant stories from the families affected by the Sambhal violence, particularly focusing on two young boys, Adnan and Uzair, who lost their father, a tailor, to police gunfire.

“A few days ago, some people from the bereaved families of Sambhal came to meet us… there were two children among them – Adnan and Uzair. One was my son’s age (Raihan Vadra is 24) and the other was around 17. Their father was a tailor who had one dream… to see his sons educated,” she recounted.

Gandhi continued, “The police shot their father dead… Adnan told me he would grow up to be a doctor and realise his father’s dream… a dream instilled in him by the Constitution of India.”

Importance of the Constitution in Empowering Citizens

In her speech, she emphasized the importance of the Constitution in empowering citizens to seek justice and voice their concerns against the government. “Our Independence struggle was a unique one in the world as it was based on truth, non-violence,” she stated.

Furthermore, she criticized the government’s attempts to undermine reservation policies through lateral entry and privatization, asserting that such actions threaten the foundational principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution.

Priyanka Gandhi’s address marks a significant moment in her political career, as she positions herself as a key figure in the opposition’s fight for justice and accountability.

Rahul Gandhi Denied Entry To Sambhal: Cops Say ‘Law and Order’ | WATCH

December 4, 2024, 4:10 pm

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by Uttar Pradesh police from visiting the Sambhal district to meet families affected by the violence that erupted on November 24. Despite his insistence that it was his duty and right as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to visit the town, he was turned away at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur.

Standoff at Ghazipur Border

Rahul Gandhi can be seen arguing with a police officer in a video shared by him. The Congress leader said he was not allowed to visit and that he had every right to speak to the families affected by the violence, which is illegal. He repeatedly asked, “On what basis have they denied the LoP permission to go?” to which the officer replied that it was a matter of law and order. Gandhi responded, “Am I going to disturb law and order?” and insisted that he would visit quietly with police escort.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:

पुलिस ने हमें संभल जाने से रोक दिया। विपक्ष के नेता होने के नाते यह मेरा अधिकार और कर्तव्य है कि मैं वहां जाऊं। फिर भी मुझे रोका गया।

मैं अकेला जाने को भी तैयार हूं, लेकिन वे इसके लिए भी नहीं माने। यह संविधान के ख़िलाफ़ है।

भाजपा क्यों डरी हुई है – अपनी नाकामियों को छुपाने के… pic.twitter.com/aZ5pDjXtZA

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 4, 2024

While Congress leaders remained calm, the police argued that it was a “sensitive situation” and wouldn’t let him, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Congress MPs proceed further. He then offered to go alone, but that request also wasn’t entertained, and the police asked the delegation to reverse their path.

Political Leaders React to Denial

Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, strongly condemned the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to not let Gandhi visit the areas. The Samajwadi Party and other opposition members walked out of Lok Sabha.

BJP leaders immediately retaliated by claiming that the visit was just a “photo opportunity” for the Congress party. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned why Gandhi did not take time out to visit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, where violence broke out earlier. The BJP veteran Giriraj Singh called this move a “political drama.”

The Violence in Sambhal

The tension in Sambhal flared up after violent clashes between locals and police during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque at the center of a legal dispute. Some petitions have claimed the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, which has led to ongoing tensions. The clashes resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured. The district has been under prohibitory orders since the violence broke out, and security has been tightened in the area.

The Uttar Pradesh police claim that no outsider will be allowed to enter the area due to the law and order situation. These orders have been given till December 31. Earlier, a delegation of Samajwadi Party was also not let in Sambhal on the same grounds.

The failed attempt by Rahul Gandhi to visit Sambhal has sparked a political debate on the limitations placed upon the Leader of the Opposition in meeting with the people in such moments of crises. While the Congress is keen to state that the visit was inspired by concern, BJP leaders questioned the move and stated that the opposition was seeking political mileage in the tragedy.

Legal Dispute Over Shamsi Shahi Mosque in UP’s Budaun Sparks Fake News Controversy

December 3, 2024, 5:45 pm

A legal dispute has emerged in Budaun district, Uttar Pradesh, concerning the Shamsi Shahi Mosque. A petition filed in a local court challenges the mosque’s legitimacy, asserting it was constructed on the site of an ancient Hindu temple. The court has accepted the petition, scheduling a hearing for December 10.

Advocate Vivek Render, representing the Hindu side, claims to possess evidence supporting the assertion that the mosque was originally a Hindu temple. He stated, “We have all the evidence that the property in dispute is a Hindu temple. We only seek uninterrupted worship at the site. We have land papers that do not identify the property as Jama Masjid.”

Conversely, the Muslim side, represented by Asrar Ahmed Siddiqui, has dismissed the case as “fake” and an attempt to disrupt communal harmony. Siddiqui remarked, “The case that has been filed is fake. It has been done to disturb the peace. They (the Hindu side) have no rights over this mosque.”

This legal contention arises amid heightened communal sensitivities in Uttar Pradesh. On November 24, violence erupted in Sambhal district during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque. The clashes resulted in four deaths and injuries to several individuals, including police officials and locals. The ASI survey was initiated following a petition alleging that the mosque’s site was originally a Harihar temple.

In response to the Sambhal incident, authorities arrested 27 individuals. Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, stated, “Police have registered a total of 7 FIRs so far, 4 of these have been registered by the families of the deceased. A total of 27 people have been arrested, of these 3 are women and 3 are juveniles.”

The Shamsi Shahi Mosque case has intensified debates over the preservation of historical religious sites and the potential for communal discord. The upcoming court hearing on December 10 is anticipated to be a focal point for both legal arguments and public attention.

Congress Moves SC To Halt Ongoing Surveys of Islamic Sites Across India

December 2, 2024, 5:27 pm

On Monday the Indian National Congress has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to halt ongoing and proposed surveys at Islamic religious sites across the country. The petition, submitted by Congress leaders Alok Sharma and Priya Mishra, argues that such surveys violate the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which maintains the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.

This legal action comes amid a series of court-ordered surveys at prominent Islamic sites, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Eidgah Mosque in Mathura. These surveys have been contentious, with Hindu groups claiming that these mosques were built over demolished temples, while Muslim organizations assert that the surveys are attempts to alter the historical status quo.

The Congress party’s petition emphasizes the potential for communal unrest stemming from these surveys and urges the Supreme Court to intervene to uphold secular principles and prevent further societal discord. The petitioners have requested an expedited hearing, highlighting the urgency of the matter in light of recent tensions and legal disputes surrounding these religious sites.

Also read: Congress Leader Alarms JPC on Communal Undertones in Waqf Amendment Bill Discussions

This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing debates over the preservation and interpretation of India’s religious heritage, placing the Supreme Court at the center of a critical issue affecting the nation’s communal harmony.

Sambhal Violence: Judicial Inquiry Committee Formed for Investigation

December 1, 2024, 10:38 am

A three-member judicial inquiry committee has been established to investigate the violence that occurred in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on November 24.Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said that the committee will visit the place to collect evidence today and all arrangements to ensure smooth probe process has been made.
“The probe committee will do their job, they will decide what to do, we just need to assist them, wherever they go and collect the evidence,” Singh said.
“Proper force has been arranged for committee’s security. Security has been already deployed in the area where they will be visiting. Further actions will be initiated later if required,” he added.
The commissioner said that the situation in Sambhal is currently peaceful and the authorities are constantly monitoring the same.
“The situation in Sambhal is absolutely peaceful, there is no problem there right now, constant monitoring is being done. Vigilance is maintained so as to ensure peace and order,” he said.
Speaking on stopping delegation of opposition from visiting the violence-hit region, he said that once the situation becomes completely normal anyone can visit Sambhal and also sought people’s support so as to maintain normalcy in the region.
“We are putting full efforts and also with the cooperation from the people, the situation there should become normal as soon as possible, then whoever wants to visit there can do so, there will be no problem,” the commissioner said.
Earlier, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the administration’s statements were being dictated by the government after the party delegation was stopped from visiting Sambhal on Saturday.
Addressing the media, Yadav accused the government and the administration of orchestrating the events leading to the Sambhal violence.
“A Samajwadi Party delegation was on its way to Sambhal. We all support peace and justice. The administration’s statements are made at the government’s behest. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure justice for the people,” he said.
Yadav questioned the need for a second survey in Sambhal and criticised the involvement of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the process.
“When the survey was conducted on the first day, everyone cooperated. Why did the administration conduct another survey? And why were BJP workers accompanying the survey team? The government and the administration are complicit in this injustice. BJP does not want peace,” he added.
Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19, when a local court ordered a survey of the mosque. Clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. The survey was initiated following a petition claiming the mosque site was originally a Harihar temple.
A stone-pelting incident occurred on November 24 during the ASI’s examination of the Mughal-era mosque, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including officials and locals.
So far, 27 individuals, including 25 men and two women, have been arrested, and seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence, according to police.

Sambhal Violence: Three Minor Involvement Confirmed in Mosque Survey Clash

November 27, 2024, 12:03 pm

In an update on the Sambhal violence, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh confirmed on Wednesday that three minors were involved in the incident, which erupted over the survey of a Mughal-era mosque on November 24.The official said that three minors were involved in the Sambhal violence case but added that the numbers could change as investigations progress.
“The number of minors involved in the case was 3 until yesterday. But this number can change,” Singh said, emphasising the ongoing nature of the investigation. He added that the minor accused are currently being counselled as part of efforts to rehabilitate them through education and skill development programs.”
In addition, the authorities recovered a knife, which Singh described as potentially very dangerous if used in a crowd.
“We have recovered a knife. It can be very dangerous if used in a crowd,” he noted. The Commissioner assured that the investigation would continue and efforts would be made to identify all those involved in the conspiracy.
“We will identify the anti-social elements in society and will expose all those who were involved in this conspiracy,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal for the third consecutive day on Wednesday after violence and ruckus ensued over an ASI survey.
The stones-pelting incident that escalated into violence over the survey team on November 24 claimed the lives of 4 and injured many, including officials and locals.
The internet shutdown will continue in the region while all other restrictions have been lifted as the situation has returned to normalcy, Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar said.
So far, 27 people, including 25 men and 2 women, have been arrested, and 7 FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence, the police said.
Speaking to ANI about the current situation post-incident, Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar said, “After the Sunday incident that took place in Sambhal district, the police had called for a precautionary internet shutdown, which continues. All other things have been restored to normalcy.”
“The police have processed all the CCTV footage of the people involved in the incident. More than 100 people have been identified. They will soon be apprehended by the police. In the last 24 hours, 27 people have been arrested, out of which 25 are men and 2 are women. Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq has been issued a notice under Section 168 of the BNS on November 23,” he added.
Fresh visuals from the area show security personnel deployed in the area.
The security team near the mosque is deployed with two-way radios for communication, security batons, flashlights, firearms, vehicle barriers, and metal detectors to maintain security for local regulations.
Earlier on Tuesday, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said that 27 people have been arrested in the Sambhal violence and seven FIRs have been registered following the ruckus and stone-pelting incident over an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the Mughal-era mosque of the district.
Singh urged the people across all sections of society to refrain from making baseless statements.
In a joint press conference earlier, Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi informed that a complaint has been filed against as many as 800 people after the violence.SP Bishnoi also said that two accused, identified as Zia Ur Rehman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, had been arrested for allegedly instigating the mob to the violence.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq had, however, denied the allegations of instigating violence in Sambhal over the mosque survey. He has accused the Uttar Pradesh police administration of ‘conspiracy’ while claiming that the case registered against him was false, as he was not in the state when the violence erupted.
The said survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple.
A similar survey was previously conducted on November 19, with local police and members of the mosque’s management committee present to oversee the process.

Sambhal Violence: Congress Leader Calls For SC-Monitored Probe

November 26, 2024, 12:51 am

Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday criticized the Yogi Adityanath-led government over the violence in Sambhal, alleging a “conspiracy to polarise society and escalate tensions.” He called for a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the incident.

“The violence and riots in Sambhal, UP point to a clear conspiracy on the part of the Modi-Yogi ‘double-engine government’ to polarise society. The haste with which the so-called survey was…carried out shows a deeper conspiracy to create instability and fear among the people of the region,” Venugopal wrote in a post on X.

The violence and riots in Sambhal, UP point to a clear conspiracy on part of the Modi-Yogi “double engine government” to polarise society.

The haste with which the so-called survey was approved and carried out shows a deeper conspiracy to create instability and fear among the…

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) November 25, 2024

“Multiple ground reports suggest the killings at the hands of the police who deliberately escalated matters to this level. This shows clear complicity of the State in this riot and a neutral, Supreme Court-monitored probe is the need of the hour to restore peace and bring justice to the victims of this mob violence,” he added.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MPs, led by party president Akhilesh Yadav, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to discuss the Sambhal incident. Opposition members have been vocal in criticizing the state government and sought to raise the issue in Parliament.

Akhilesh Yadav alleged that Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq had been falsely implicated in the incident despite being absent from Sambhal.

“Our MP was not even in Sambhal during the incident and despite that, an FIR was lodged against him. It is very unfortunate to know about the young people who have lost their lives in this incident. From all the videos we have, we know it was a riot by the government. The government was looting votes, playing with the EVM machines… they did riot in Sambhal,” he claimed.

Yadav further questioned the state government, criticizing the legal process that, he alleged, proceeded without hearing the other side. He demanded action against the police officials involved in the incident.

The violence in Sambhal began with a stone-pelting incident on Sunday when an ASI team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey, as per official reports. The survey was part of a legal process initiated after a petition by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple.

Internet Suspended in Sambhal Amid Rising Tensions| Video

November 25, 2024, 6:23 pm

In response to recent violent clashes in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, authorities have suspended internet services to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain public order. The unrest erupted during a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, following claims that the mosque was originally a temple. The situation escalated as protesters gathered near the mosque, leading to stone-pelting and confrontations with the police. The violence resulted in at least five fatalities and injuries to over 20 police personnel.

Watch:

Look at the weapon recovered by police after a violent attack by locals in Sambhal yesterday

Locals comprised the mosque side opposing court-ordered survey of a disputed religious site pic.twitter.com/pp1tSMDSkY

— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) November 25, 2024

In addition to the internet suspension, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders, barring the entry of outsiders and social organizations into the area without official permission until November 30. These measures aim to restore peace and prevent further disturbances in the region.

The incident has raised concerns among residents and authorities, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the causes of the violence and the implementation of measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

A recent survey conducted in Sambhal has sparked intense debate, with many questioning the motives and circumstances that led to the flare-up. The key question remains: who or what ignited the situation in this historically sensitive region?

Locals have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the incident, urging authorities to take swift action to restore order and provide transparency about the findings of the survey.

The administration has heightened security in the area, deploying additional forces to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, political and social groups are actively voicing their opinions, adding to the growing tension in the region.

Also read: Chandigarh University 73 MBA Students Bag Jobs In With Top Brands

As the investigation unfolds, the people of Sambhal are left searching for answers, hoping for peace to be restored and for those responsible to be held accountable.