Hindu-Muslim Tensions Boil Over in India, Leaving 4 Dead

India Mosque Clashes Turn Deadly Amid Survey Dispute

“Some miscreants in the crowd resorted to violence, forcing us to use minor force and tear gas to restore order.”

Four people were killed in clashes between protesters and police near a mosque in India, sparked by Hindu nationalist claims that the mosque was built on a Hindu temple site.

Clashes broke out at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, after nearly 1,000 Muslim protesters gathered outside the mosque to prevent a court-ordered survey. The survey aimed to investigate claims that the 16th-century mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, following a petition by a Hindu lawyer.

The situation escalated, resulting in the deaths of three Muslim youths, identified as Noman, Naeem, and Mohd Bilal Ansari. The killings were confirmed by CO Anuj Chaudhary, according to a report by ABP News.

In response to the violence, authorities closed schools and suspended internet services in the area to maintain law and order. The Shahi Jama Masjid, a historic monument from the Mughal era, has been at the center of the controversy.

In response to the recent unrest in Sambhal, local administrator Aunjaneya Kumar Singh announced that “all schools and colleges have been closed and public gatherings have been prohibited.” This move aims to contain the violence that erupted over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque.

The situation took a turn for the worse, with videos circulating on social media showing scenes of stone-pelting and vehicles engulfed in flames. According to reports, police responded to the violence with tear gas. To prevent further escalation, Singh also banned outsiders, social organizations, and public representatives from entering the city without official permission until November 30.

The violence in Sambhal resulted in the deaths of four Muslim youths, with many more injured. The mosque has been at the center of a contentious legal dispute over claims that it was built on the site of a Hindu temple. The survey, led by an ‘Advocate Commissioner,’ sparked clashes as a crowd gathered near the mosque and engaged in violence.

Clashes between protesters and police near the Shahi Jama Masjid have turned deadly, resulting in the loss of four lives. According to Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, a local police officer, “Some miscreants in the crowd resorted to violence, forcing us to use minor force and tear gas to restore order.”

The violence is linked to claims made by Hindu activist groups, many of which are affiliated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party. These groups assert that several mosques in India, including possibly the Shahi Jama Masjid, were built on top of Hindu temples during the Muslim Mughal empire. This claim has been a point of contention and has contributed to the ongoing tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in India.