NEW DELHI: Union minister and BJP MP Giriraj Singh on Monday blamed the opposition for the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, calling it a “pre-planned strategy” akin to the Godhra incident.
Clashes during a court-mandated survey at the Mughal-era Jama Masjid on Sunday left three dead and over 20 police personnel injured. A fourth injured person died on Monday.
Tight security measures, including prohibitory orders and internet suspension, have been implemented in Sambhal to prevent further escalation.Entry of outsiders into Sambhal has been barred till November 30.
A magisterial probe has also been ordered into the violence.
Police have lodged seven FIRs in connection with the violence, naming Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son Sohail Iqbal as accused.
Top development in Sambhal violence
Turning Sambhal into Bangladesh: Giriraj Singh
The situation was brought under control by evening, with internet services suspended and additional forces deployed. Authorities have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against those involved in the violence.
Union minister Giriraj Singh blamed the opposition, saying, “This incident happened because of opposition… They want to burn the country… turn Sambhal into Bangladesh.”
Singh added, “This incident happened because of opposition; it is a pre-planned strategy of the opposition, like the Godhra incident. This was not an attack on the survey team but on the constitution of India and democracy. They want to burn the country… they want to turn Sambhal into Bangladesh. Those who died got shot by the attackers, not the police. It is clear from the post-mortem… The country won’t tolerate this.”
Riot orchestrated by govt: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that the Sambhal incident was a riot orchestrated by the government.
“Our MP Zia ur Rahman was not even in Sambhal during the incident, and despite that, an FIR was lodged against him. A police officer said that one should stop taking the help of the government; for whom was it meant? 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 a riot in Sambhal because they did not want to get caught,” he alleged.
FIRs against SP leaders, 25 arrested
Police lodged seven FIRs following violence over the court-ordered survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, naming SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son, Sohail Iqbal, as accused. The clashes, which began Sunday, left four dead and several injured, including police and officials. Officials attributed the unrest to provocative remarks made by Barq earlier.
Prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been imposed, barring outsiders’ entry until November 30. Internet services remain suspended, and a magisterial probe is underway. Authorities have arrested 25 individuals, with efforts ongoing to identify others. The violence reportedly involved 2,750 unidentified persons.
The survey, ordered after a petition claimed the mosque stood on a demolished temple site, triggered protests on Sunday. Heavy police deployment continues in Sambhal, with normalcy gradually returning except near the mosque.
Meanwhile, SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq denying the aalegation aainst him said that, “The incident that the police administration carried out in Sambhal has shaken the entire humanity and has tarnished the image of the state and the country…Yesterday, I was not even present in the state, let alone Sambhal, I had gone to Bengaluru to attend the meeting of the India Muslim Personal Law Board.”
Violence during court-ordered survey
The survey, initiated at 7 am under court commissioner Ramesh Singh and district magistrate Rajendra Pensia, was conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) following a petition claiming the mosque was originally a temple. While the initial proceedings were peaceful, violence erupted around 9 am when a mob of 3,000 gathered, allegedly pelting stones and firing at police.
Divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh stated, “Despite initial efforts to disperse them with tear gas and lathi charges, the mob intensified its attack and started firing from nearby houses, leading to injuries among officers.”
Casualties and claim
Three individuals, identified as Mohd Nayeem, Mohd Bilal, and Mohd Nauman, died during the clashes.
Families alleged police firing was responsible, with Bilal’s brother claiming, “My brother was shot dead by circle officer Anuj Chaudhary.”
Singh refuted the claims, asserting, “We have videographic evidence… Police responded to firing from both sides to ensure the safety of the survey team.”
Damage to mosque disputed
Concerns about damage to the mosque were dismissed by officials, who confirmed the survey did not alter the structure. Singh stated, “While stone pelting near the mosque may have caused some damage, it is unclear… The survey was conducted peacefully.”
The survey was ordered following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, alleging that the mosque was originally a temple. Conducted by an ASI team under the supervision of court commissioner Ramesh Singh and in the presence of district magistrate Rajendra Pensia, SP Krishan Kumar, and other officials, the survey began at 7 am and initially proceeded peacefully.
Around 9 am, a mob gathered outside the mosque, allegedly shouting slogans and pelting stones at police personnel. Police responded with tear gas and lathi charges, but the situation escalated as the mob allegedly began firing at officers and setting vehicles ablaze.
Divisional commissioner Aunjaneya Singh described the sequence of events: “The survey continued peacefully for two hours, but around 9 am, a crowd of nearly 2,000-3,000 people gathered and began throwing stones at the police personnel stationed for security.
Despite initial efforts to disperse them with tear gas and lathi charges, the mob intensified its attack and started firing from nearby houses, leading to injuries among officers, including the SP’s PRO, SDM Ramesh Babu, and circle officer Anuj Chaudhary, who was hit by bullet pellets.” Singh added that the SDM sustained fractures and over a dozen cops were injured during the violence.
NSA invoked against rioters
“Vehicles were torched, and additional forces were called in from neighbouring districts to contain the situation,” Singh said. The survey team was safely evacuated from the area, and internet services were suspended in the district by Sunday evening.