SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has strongly condemned the killing of four youths during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The killings, which occurred in clashes between locals and police, have sparked outrage and sharp political reactions across the country.
In a statement on Monday, the Mirwaiz described the incident as a “deeply distressing and discriminatory police action,” reflecting a troubling pattern of targeting minorities. He criticised the government for failing to safeguard all citizens equally, stating, “The life of minorities has become cheap and dispensable, used as a pawn for electoral rewards.”
The cleric also denounced the trend of questioning the status of centuries-old mosques, terming it a divisive tactic aimed at polarising communities. “To rake up issues of centuries-old mosques and question their status has become a pattern to provoke and generate a desired reaction to the advantage of the ruling class,” he said.
Mirwaiz expressed hope that the matter would be fairly investigated and that those responsible for the deaths would be held accountable. “This divisive mindset is dangerous for the people of India and must be stopped,” he added.
The violence in Sambhal erupted on Sunday during a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, ordered by a local court following claims that a Harihar temple once stood on the site. Tensions had been brewing since November 19, when the survey was first conducted.
On Sunday morning, protesters clashed with security personnel, resulting in the deaths of three people on the spot. A fourth succumbed to injuries on Monday. Several others, including police and administrative officials, were injured. The unrest saw vehicles torched, stone pelting, and heavy police deployment in the area.
In response, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders, suspended internet services in Sambhal tehsil, and ordered a magisterial probe. Schools were also shut for the day.
The killings have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of orchestrating a “riot,” while Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the violence was aimed at creating communal rifts.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi called the government’s actions “biased and hasty,” blaming the BJP for directly causing the deaths. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP of using the incident for polarisation.
The BJP, however, denied the allegations, with leaders claiming that the violence was pre-planned and instigated by those unhappy with the party’s rise.
Police have arrested 25 people and booked Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son, Sohail Iqbal, among others, for their alleged roles in inciting the violence. Seven FIRs have been registered, naming six individuals and over 2,700 unidentified persons.
Officials maintained that the deaths resulted from gunshots fired from country-made weapons, but a detailed investigation is ongoing. Security in the area remains tight, with heavy police patrolling to prevent further unrest.
The incident has heightened communal tensions, with calls for accountability and restraint from across the political and social spectrum. (With PTI Inputs)
