Supreme Court Halts Survey of Sambhal Jama Masjid Amid Violence

The Supreme Court of India has intervened to halt a survey of the Sambhal Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh, directing a civil court not to proceed with the case until the Allahabad High Court hears the mosque committee’s petition challenging the survey order.

This move follows violent clashes that erupted during a survey of the mosque, which is at the center of a dispute regarding claims that it was built over the ruins of an ancient Hindu temple. Hindu activists filed a petition asserting that the mosque, constructed during the Mughal era, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to an avatar of Vishnu.

On November 19, a civil court in Uttar Pradesh ordered the survey of the mosque, which took place on November 24, leading to violent confrontations between police, the administration, and local residents. The clashes resulted in the deaths of four people and several injuries, including police officers.

In response, the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and harmony and advised the mosque’s management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court. The Court also instructed that any reports from the survey be kept in a sealed cover until further orders.

The situation in Sambhal remains tense, with 25 arrests made, including two women, and police booking around 2,500 individuals, including Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, for their involvement in the violence. The police denied using lethal force, but the chairperson of the mosque’s managing committee, Zafar Ali, contradicted this, claiming that police had fired at the mob.