Tensions Escalate in Sambhal Following Violent Mosque Survey Conflicts

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:46:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Violent clashes erupt in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh over Jama Masjid survey, leading to deaths and detentions.

Sambhal city is gripped by unrest after violent protests resulted in three fatalities during a police-conducted mosque survey, drawing widespread criticism and fears of escalating tensions.

Sambhal city in Uttar Pradesh is currently under heightened alert following violent protests over a controversial survey of the Jama Masjid. The unrest unfolded on Sunday, leading to the reported deaths of three individuals and numerous injuries, igniting tensions across the region. Local law enforcement detained 21 individuals linked to the disturbances and imposed an internet blackout along with school closures to maintain order.

The survey, initiated by a local court, raised allegations that the historic mosque was constructed on the ruins of a Hindu temple, a claim that has exacerbated existing sectarian tensions. Videos shared on social platforms depicted the chaos, with debris strewn around and fierce confrontations between protesters and police. While some activists alleged that police gunfire resulted in the deaths, authorities refuted these claims, asserting that no lethal force was employed.

The background of this dispute traces back to a petition filed earlier in the week, alleging that Mughal Emperor Babur had demolished the Hari Har temple to construct the mosque in the 1520s. Tensions escalated in the days following the petition as local activists called for protest against the perceived encroachment on their cultural and religious site.

As tensions swelled, police reported clashes erupted when protesters tried to interrupt a second survey on Sunday, resulting in unrest that necessitated the use of tear gas and plastic bullets. The state government has faced accusations of politicizing the violence for its own gains, which has been staunchly denied. Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister stated that law enforcement would not tolerate any attempts to disrupt peace.

Mahmood Madani, leader of a prominent Islamic scholar organization, condemned the turmoil and appealed for adherence to Indian laws over religious disputes. The ongoing violence surrounding religious sites reflects a larger trend of increasing sectarian disputes in India, significantly fuelling national debates regarding heritage and cultural identity.