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What is the controversy regarding Sambhal Masjid and what are the arguments of both the parties? What is the court order and what will happen next? What happened in Sambhal yesterday?
On the orders of the local court, a team led by the Advocate Commissioner reached the Shahi Masjid for the survey. The entire incident took place around 7 am on Sunday morning. Hearing the news of the survey, a crowd gathered at the Shahi Masjid. Some people tried to enter inside.
It is alleged that as soon as the team came out after completing the survey at 11 am, the crowd surrounded them and started creating ruckus. There was also an altercation with the team members. Meanwhile, some miscreants pelted stones and set fire to the police and survey team. Police took charge and fired bullets in the air and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. There are reports that bullets were also fired from the crowd.
How is the management now?
Internet is closed for 24 hours in Sambhal taluk. This time can be extended. The district administration has declared holiday in schools up to class 12th till Monday. Markets are closed after the incident. At present, as no other incident has been reported after the morning violence, police from 30 police stations of Moradabad range have been deployed in Sambhal.
What was the reason for the violence?
The Royal Mosque of Sambhal is said to have earlier been the Harihar Temple. On November 19, senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain had filed a suit in the court of Civil Judge Senior Division, Sambhal, claiming Shahi Jama Masjid as Harihar Temple. The court on Tuesday appointed Advocate Commissioner and ordered a survey within 7 days. The team returned after videography in the first phase. The team reached the spot at 7 am on Sunday morning for the second phase of survey. It is being told that tension has increased in the area since a week. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said that the survey has been completed. This report will be presented in the court on 29 November.
Earlier, Mahant Rishiraj Giri Maharaj of Kailadevi temple had claimed that the royal mosque of Sambhal is Harihar temple. It was built on the orders of Babur on the site of a Hindu temple. Demanded for survey to be conducted in civil court.
Who was in the survey team?
Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav is in the survey team. Advocates Vishnu Shankar Jain and Gopal Sharma represented the plaintiff. Advocate Vishnu Sharma is appearing on behalf of the central government. On Sunday, the team along with the Jama Masjid Committee Chairman reached the spot. The surrounding area was cordoned off. Videography of the mosque was being done in the presence of Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav and DM, SP.
What order did the court give?
On November 19, the Civil Judge Senior Division Court observed that the other party in the case is the Government of India, therefore before passing any order it is necessary to hear the other party also, hence notice should be sent to the Government of India and other parties. So that they can present their side before the court also. A conclusion can be reached after listening to both sides. The court said that the Advocate Commissioner should go to the spot and prepare his report. Submit this report to the court within the stipulated period. Since the matter is sensitive, videography and photography should be done. DM and SP should provide police force on the spot.
What did the police do now?
According to Moradabad Range DIG Muniraj, 21 people including 2 women have been detained. He is being interrogated. Police say that those against whom evidence is found will be arrested and presented in court. With the help of CCTV cameras, people involved in the crowd are being identified. Different teams have been formed to catch the criminals. Several teams conducted raids throughout the night in Sambhal. Meanwhile, some illegal weapons and live cartridges were also recovered from various places. Police say that soon the miscreants will be arrested and sent to jail. Strict action will be taken against the accused.
In view of the incidents of stone pelting, the Sub District Magistrate has issued a notice prohibiting citizens from collecting stones, bottles or any inflammable or explosive material on their rooftops. If anyone does this then strict action will be taken against him. The municipality has also been directed to immediately confiscate any construction material lying on the roads.
The administration has also banned the entry of outsiders into the district. On the orders of DM, the city border has been sealed for entry of outsiders till December 1. The matter has also reached the National Human Rights Commission. All schools and colleges in the tehsil area have also been closed.
What did the administration say?
Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh said that during the violence the miscreants attacked from three sides. First – from the front, second – from the left and third – from the right. The police showed promptness and first removed the survey team from the spot. Plastic bullets and tear gas shells were used to control the situation. Weapons have also been recovered from the houses of the detained people. The firing took place from a house in Nakhasa police station area, from where two women have been detained. Those accused of violence will be booked under the National Security Act (NSA). The administration said that the crowd was definitely instigated. Efforts are being made to identify those who instigated the crowd. The administration has appealed to the people to maintain peace.
Who died in the violence?
Four people lost their lives in the violence. Out of which Naeem, Bilal, Nauman and Mohammad Kaif have lost their lives. All four were cremated late at night. Two died due to bullets fired from country made pistols. The situation will be clear after the post mortem report on the third and fourth deaths.
Who got injured?
Sambhal SP told that his PRO was shot in the leg in the violence. The Deputy Collector’s leg is also fractured. A constable suffered head injuries. A police officer was hit by shrapnel. A total of 20 policemen have been injured. Four senior officers were also injured.
What did the Muslim side say?
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Mahmood Madani has expressed displeasure and grief over the violence. He said, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind does not support the violence of any party or miscreants. But police brutality is not only unjust but also discriminatory, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. Former Moradabad MP Dr. S.T. Hasan said, we do not agree with the court’s decision to conduct the survey. The Places of Worship Act 1991 states that a place of worship of any religion existing before 15 August 1947 cannot be converted into a place of worship of any other religion. Ordering a survey is a violation of the law. What was the need for the survey? Jama Masjid is 500 years old. How long will our generation continue to suffer?
What did the Hindu side say in the matter?
This case filed in the court of civil judge is of 95 pages. It is said that Lord Kalki was born in Sambhal. There are many evidences which clearly show that the mosque was built by demolishing the Harihar temple. The reality will come out only after the survey. It is being used in an unauthorized manner by the Jama Masjid Committee.
Petitioner and Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain said that the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) had ordered the formation of an advocate commissioner to survey the mosque. The court has said that a videography and photography survey should be conducted and the report should be filed through the Advocate Commissioner.
On Sunday, Jain requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take control of the disputed site. Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer from the Hindu side, claimed that the temple that once stood at the site was demolished by the Mughal emperor Babur in 1529.
‘With small children standing in front…’
DIG Moradabad Range Muniraj said that a survey has been conducted there after the court order. We have deployed police force there. Some people made small children stand in front and started throwing stones at the police. The police tried to control the situation and appealed for peace. They also set some vehicles on fire and police used anti-riot guns and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. 20 policemen have been injured. The situation is under control. We have detained 20 people.
Police is looking for a conspiracy angle
SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said, the situation is under control and additional forces have also been deployed. Internet services have been stopped for a day. Some people started pelting stones at the police and the police also retaliated. The police dispersed the crowd. When the DM and DIG were patrolling, two women pelted stones at them and opened fire with country-made pistols. This is very unfortunate. Strict action will be taken against them under NSA. FIR has been registered. The mobile phones of the detained people are being examined to find out whether there was any conspiracy.