GG News Bureau
Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, 1st December. A three-member judicial inquiry commission, headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, arrived in Sambhal to investigate the violent clashes that erupted over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque. The violence, which occurred on November 24, claimed five lives and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The commission, which includes retired IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad and retired IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain, inspected the site alongside Sambhal’s District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. The panel is tasked with determining whether the violence was premeditated or a spontaneous outburst and will probe the roles of individuals and groups involved.
The judicial panel will evaluate the preparations made by the district administration and police to maintain law and order during the contentious survey. It will also examine the events leading up to the clashes, including the police’s use of force on protesters who opposed the mosque survey. The commission will submit its findings within two months and provide recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future.
Tensions in Sambhal had been escalating since November 19, when a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was initiated following claims that the mosque was built in 1526 by Mughal emperor Babar after demolishing a Harihar temple at the site. Violence erupted on November 24 as protesters clashed with security forces, leading to stone pelting, arson, and casualties.
The Supreme Court intervened on Friday, directing the trial court in Sambhal to halt the mosque survey proceedings until the Shahi Idgah Committee of the Jama Masjid approaches the High Court. The court also ordered that the survey report be sealed and kept confidential for the time being.
The incident has sparked a political controversy, with the Sambhal administration prohibiting outsiders from entering the district until December 10 to maintain order. This restriction drew criticism from the Samajwadi Party, whose 15-member delegation, including senior leaders, was detained while en route to Sambhal. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the move, accusing the administration of suppressing dissent.
The Supreme Court has listed the Shahi Idgah Committee’s petition before the High Court for expedited hearing within three working days and scheduled its own review of the case in January 2025.
The Sambhal clashes have reignited debates on historical religious sites and their contested claims, underscoring the need for judicial prudence and effective administrative measures to prevent communal unrest. As the inquiry commission conducts its investigation, all eyes are on its findings and recommendations, which may shape the future handling of such sensitive issues in the country.
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