TCN Staff Reporter
Sambhal: Life in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, a city steeped in history, seems to have come to a standstill. Two months ago, the city’s Shahi Jama Masjid — an architectural marvel from the 16th century — became the center of a storm that has yet to subside. The deadly violence that erupted here in November, triggered by a controversial survey to determine whether a Hindu temple lay beneath the mosque, has left a lasting mark on the residents here. Today, the bustling streets of Sambhal are quiet, with shops shuttered, homes locked and an eerie sense of dread filling the air.
The tragedy began on November 24, 2024, when a routine survey of the mosque turned into a violent confrontation between the local Muslim community and the police. Five young Muslim men lost their lives in the clashes, and many more were injured. The incident, which included stone-pelting, police gunfire and arson, quickly became a flashpoint in the ongoing religious tensions that have plagued India for decades.
Sambhal’s atmosphere is now one of fear and uncertainty. The wounds of the violence are still fresh. The violence unfolded after rumors spread that the mosque was being “dug up” during the survey. Though the police refuted the claims, the damage was done. The city was soon overwhelmed by protests, some of which turned violent, with accusations that the police had fired on unarmed protesters.
In the aftermath of the violence, the city is divided — not just along religious lines, but in every aspect of daily life. Muslim-owned businesses in the area are closed, with many families opting to stay indoors. Those who once shared neighborhood ties now look at each other with suspicion. The shops that once thrived with the hustle and bustle of trade are now silent. The city’s pulse has slowed, and its spirit has been broken.
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a four-minaret structure that once stood as a proud reminder of the city’s rich history, now bears scars from the violence. Broken concrete and damaged walls are all that remain of what was once a symbol of communal harmony. In the days following the clash, the city seemed to close in on itself. Homes that lined the narrow lanes near the mosque were shuttered tight, and even the most mundane activities — like a neighbor taking out the trash or a municipal truck cleaning the streets — seemed laden with unease.
The political landscape, in the wake of the violence, has also grown increasingly tense. While Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav has called for the withdrawal of false cases registered against those involved in the clashes and demanded compensation for the victims, the community remains divided on how to move forward.
Yadav’s comments came in response to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statements condemning those who seek to use religious disputes to rise to power, referring to the unrest in Sambhal as one such example.
“I urge the RSS and its followers to ensure the victims in Sambhal receive the justice they deserve,” Yadav said and called for the withdrawal of cases he believes were falsely filed against the protesters.
However, despite the political statements, the air in Sambhal remains thick with tension. While the political leaders continue to trade accusations, the people are left to deal with the aftermath in silence.
The local community is divided, not just along religious lines but in how they view their role in the tragedy. A long-time Hindu resident of the city, who witnessed the chaos of past communal riots, recalls the history of the area with sadness. “Nothing good comes out of violence,” she says and remembers how the city had been shaken by similar disturbances in the past. She worries that the current unrest will leave permanent scars on the city’s social fabric.
The controversial survey of the mosque was ordered by a district court following a petition filed by locals associated with the Hindu nationalist movement. The petition sought to determine if the mosque stood on the site of a Hindu temple, a question that has echoed across India, with similar petitions filed in other contentious locations like the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura.
Local residents, both Hindus and Muslims, find themselves trapped between the politics of religion and the harsh realities of daily life. “How do we move forward after something like this?” asks Bilal Ansari, whose brother was among the casualties.
His brother, Naeem, was killed by gunshot wounds allegedly inflicted by the police. “We just want justice,” he says. “But the police will never listen to us.”
As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims are left to pick up the pieces. The police investigation has been riddled with accusations of misconduct, and many families feel the law is being used to intimidate them into silence.
Naeem’s family, for instance, claims that they were threatened by the police and forced to sign blank papers. These actions have led to widespread allegations of police harassment and misconduct.
The response from local authorities has been predictable: a heavy-handed approach aimed at restoring order, but often at the expense of addressing the deep-seated issues of communal division. As police reinforcements flood the city, many feel that the root causes of the violence — religious intolerance, political manipulation and social inequality — are being ignored.
As the dust settles, what remains is a city gripped by fear, where neighbors once united by trade and shared history now find themselves divided. The recent violence in Sambhal is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of rising religious tensions across India.
For the people of Sambhal, the question is not just about justice for the victims of the violence, but about how the city and the country at large can heal from the wounds of religious polarisation that threaten to tear apart the social fabric.
In a city that was once a symbol of peaceful coexistence, the future now looks uncertain. The walls of the Shahi Jama Masjid, scarred by the violence, stand as a chilling reminder of the fragility of peace.