Investigation Report Submitted to Chief Minister Yogi by Sambhal Probe Panel; Vishnu Shankar Jain Accuses Foreign Interference in Violence Incidents
In the small town of Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a three-member judicial committee's report has been submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, shedding light on the violent unrest that occurred in November 2024. The report alleges a coordinated effort to obstruct a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team.
Vishnu Shankar Jain, a senior advocate and one of the petitioners in the Sambhal case, has been vocal about these findings. He claims a foreign conspiracy behind the Sambhal violence, asserting that the attack on police officers was premeditated and intended to halt any examination of the site. Jain also suggested that the attack was aimed at eliminating the survey team and obstructing the court order.
The ASI team faced significant difficulties in conducting the survey of the Mughal-era mosque on 19 and 24 November last year. The Sambhal violence left four people dead and many others injured, causing a significant disruption in the survey process.
The report reportedly includes insights on the declining Hindu population in Sambhal post-Independence. According to the report, the Hindu population in the district has declined from 45% to 15% while the Muslim community has risen from 55% to 85%. Vishnu Som, responding to these findings, stated that Sambhal has seen dramatic demographic change over the years.
Vishnu Shankar Jain represents the Hindu plaintiffs opposing the mosque committee in the Sambhal dispute. He has suspected a foreign or external conspiracy behind the Sambhal riots, implying involvement beyond internal local issues. Jain also claimed that the Shahi Jama Masjid was the Harihar temple in the past before being demolished by Mughal ruler Babar.
The report is expected to provide insight into the causes of the unrest in Sambhal. Meanwhile, the Hindu community in Sambhal lives under constant fear and as 'second-class citizens', according to Vishnu Som. It remains to be seen how these findings will impact the ongoing dispute and the future of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
