Sambhal Bleeds: A Historic ‘Jama Masjid’ at the Crossroads of Conspiracy and Chaos

By Ghulam Mustafa Naeemi, Tr. New Age Islam 28 November 2024 A Historic Mosque Becomes the Epicentre of Violence amid Rising Communal Tensions Main Point: 1. This Article Raises Critical Questions Not Only From The Muslim Community But Also From Peace-Loving Hindus Concerned About The Escalating Violence And The Handling Of The Situation. Even Some Traditionally Biased Individuals, Like Rajat Sharma From India TV, Have Questioned The Haste With Which The Sambhal Police And District Judge Acted, Emphasizing The Lack Of Proper Deliberation Given The Historical Importance Of The Shahi Jama Masjid. Despite These Concerns, The Dominant Narrative Has Been Shaped By Anti-Muslim Sentiments, With Extremist Voices Drowning Out Calls For Justice And Peace. The Media, Particularly Those Sympathetic To Hindu Nationalism, Have Amplified This Uproar, Side-Lining Critical Questions And Fuelling Communal Tensions. ------ The streets of Sambhal, carrying centuries of history within their folds, are drenched in blood. Police patrols are stationed everywhere, barricades block the paths, and drones hover ominously in the skies, narrating the grim story of Sambhal. All this unfolded on the morning of November 24, 2024, following the outbreak of violence that, at first glance, seemed like a sudden accident. However, the severity of the incident and the interconnected threads of its backdrop strongly suggest that things are not as they appear—or as they are being portrayed. Undoubtedly, there is a well-orchestrated conspiracy behind this unrest, which has left the streets of Sambhal soaked in blood. Hundreds have been injured, dozens arrested, and five young men have been martyred, struck down by bullets. The Core Issue Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid, a relic from the Mughal era, was constructed in 1529, a year after the Babri Masjid. From its inception until India's independence, no disputes ever arose regarding this mosque. Even after independence, when communal forces stirred controversy around the Babri Masjid, the Shahi Masjid of Sambhal remained untouched by disputes. However, following the BJP's ascent to power at the centre in 2014, extremist Hindu factions began propagating the claim that the Shahi Masjid was built by demolishing a Hindu temple called the Harihar Mandir. They demanded the mosque be handed back to Hindus. As part of this propaganda, six days ago, on November 19, a Hindu party filed a case against the Shahi Masjid in the district court. Judge Aditya Singh heard the case within two hours and issued an order for a survey of the mosque to be completed within a week. He mandated that the survey report be presented in court by November 29. The police administration demonstrated similar "efficiency" by conducting the mosque’s survey that very night, instead of waiting for the week-long deadline. The Jama Masjid Committee and the Muslim community, showing remarkable patience and restraint, fully cooperated with the survey team. The survey continued until late at night, around 11 or 12. After it concluded, the district administration and the ASI teams left. The following day, November 20, the Muslim community decided to appeal this decision in the High Court. Since there was still time before the survey report was to be submitted, the responsible parties began preparing their case. Meanwhile, the Hindu community submitted a request to the District Magistrate (DM), stating dissatisfaction with the survey and demanding a second one. Without any court directive, the DM independently ordered another survey. On the morning of November 24, at 7 AM, Vishnu Shankar Jain, the lawyer for the Hindu side, arrived at the mosque with a large crowd of rowdy individuals. The mob continuously chanted slogans of "Jai Shri Ram." Their provocation and mischief led to Muslims gathering as well. Inside the mosque, the survey team and police administration began the survey again. Meanwhile, outside, the chaos caused by the Hindu extremists’ crowd agitated the Muslims. The Circle Officer (CO) of Sambhal, seemingly anticipating this, ordered a lathi charge. This escalated into chaos, with stampedes and stone-pelting breaking out. Within moments, the police opened fire. When the unrest finally subsided, the streets surrounding the Jama Masjid were soaked in blood. Three young men were martyred on the spot, while two succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the hospital. The District Administration’s Biased Role This entire incident raises several critical questions that cast doubt over the proceedings: 1. How did District Judge Aditya Singh accept the Hindu side’s plea on the very first day, conduct a hearing, and issue a survey order—all on the same day? What was the rush? Was the train about to leave the station, or was the Day of Judgment approaching? This was not a matter involving a house or shop but a 500-year-old historic mosque listed with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Why was such a crucial decision made without hearing the other side, and what prompted the immediate survey order? 1. When the judge gave the police a week to complete the survey, why did the police administration act in such haste that they summoned the survey team the same night and completed the survey overnight? Could the survey not have been conducted with the cooperation of the city’s esteemed Muslims, the Jama Masjid Committee, and elected representatives such as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP)? 2. If the survey was already completed that night, why was a second survey conducted without a judicial order? 3. Why was a mob of extremist Hindus allowed to accompany the Hindu side’s lawyer to the mosque, and why were they not stopped despite their aggressive slogans? 4. When Muslims raised their voices against the extremists, why was a lathi charge ordered, and why was gunfire used? Could the crowd not have been controlled without such extreme measures? These questions are being raised not only by Muslims but also by peace-loving Hindus. Even a biased anchor like Rajat Sharma of India TV has questioned the haste shown by the Sambhal police and the district judge. However, the anti-Muslim uproar is so loud that these questions are being drowned in the noise. On social media, extremist Hindus are celebrating, applauding the police, and lamenting the “low” death toll, as though their thirst for blood remains unquenched. Mauqa Mile Jise Bhi Wo Peeta Zarur Hai Shayad Bohat Mithaas Hamaare Lahoo Mein Hai Translation: "When given a chance, they will surely drink, Perhaps there’s too much sweetness in our blood." ----- (The article was originally written in Urdu and translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam) ---- Ghulam Mustafa Naeemi is a prominent Urdu writer and Islamic scholar, known for his insightful and thought-provoking contributions to the literary world. He is an active member of Rawshan Mustaqbil, an online community where several writers share their views on various topics. Naeemi's writings delve into social, cultural, and political issues, with a particular focus on matters affecting the Muslim community. His work has earned him a dedicated following for its depth and relevance in addressing contemporary concerns. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/sambhal-bleeds-historic-jama-masjid-conspiracy/d/133846 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism