The Sambhal district administration on Wednesday (January 22, 2025) began excavating an ancient well found under an allegedly illegal encroachment near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal city. The administration said the excavation had been initiated following complaints from locals that the well had been illegally covered up. The well, located at a distance of about 50m from the mosque, is said to be one of 19 ancient wells in the region, with locals claiming that it had been covered over time and its original form altered.
“The excavation was undertaken after a complaint from locals that the well had been covered up illegally. Preliminary investigation suggests the well was encroached upon and covered. We are excavating to restore it,” Shirish Chandra, Assistant Superintendent of Police, told local reporters. The administration’s drive is seen as a step towards clearing the alleged encroachment of structures and sites in Sambhal since violence broke out on November 24, 2024.
The excavation comes amid the Supreme Court’s order to maintain status quo over the private well, directing that no action could be taken without the apex court’s prior approval, and that the authorities were to submit a status report within two weeks.
The Shahi Jama Masjid dispute: A tale of history, faith, and tensions
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a landmark built during the reign of Emperor Babur, now bears scars of recent violence. Constructed around 1528 by Babur’s general, Mir Hindu Beg, the mosque is a testament to the Mughal era’s architectural legacy. Located on a hill at the center of Sambhal, the mosque features a large square mihrab hall with battered walls, covered by a dome on squinches, and flanked by arches. Its design, noted for its stone masonry covered with plaster, reflects influences of earlier architecture, similar to the mosque in Budaun, distinct from later Mughal monuments of red sandstone.The mosque was repaired twice during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan in the 17th century. While most historians attribute its construction to Mir Hindu Beg, others speculate that the mosque might be a Tughlaq-era structure that Babur’s general modified.Hindu tradition, however, holds that the mosque incorporates parts of an ancient Vishnu temple, believed to be the site where the tenth avatar of Vishnu, Kalki, will descend. Unlike the deeply entrenched disputes in Ayodhya or Varanasi, Sambhal’s tensions surfaced only this year, breaking a long history of peaceful coexistence among its communities.The unrest began after a court-ordered survey at the mosque sought to investigate claims of a buried Harihar temple, said to represent Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu. This survey, which involved draining the mosque’s ablution tank, fueled rumors of excavation and destruction. The situation escalated, culminating in violent clashes on November 24.The violence resulted in four deaths, including a 17-year-old boy, and left hundreds injured, including law enforcement personnel. Mobs armed with stones, batons, and firearms engaged in arson, prompting police to deploy tear gas and rubber pellets. Several vehicles were torched, and the violence spread to nearby areas, leaving Muslim-dominated neighborhoods shaken.In these areas, businesses remain shuttered, and fear is palpable. Residents report police intimidation, alleging forced signatures on blank documents and late-night visits. Families of victims allege harassment and a lack of transparency in investigations.Meanwhile, Hindu localities have largely resumed normalcy. Shops remain open, poojas continue, and walls are adorned with saffron flags and murals, presenting a stark contrast to the fear gripping Muslim neighborhoods.The Places of Worship Act, 1991, which seeks to maintain the religious character of all sites as they existed on August 15, 1947, has been thrust into the spotlight. This Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and was aimed at preventing future disputes. Section 3 of the Act explicitly bars altering a religious site’s character.However, a 2022 Supreme Court ruling permitted religious surveys, reigniting tensions in cases like Sambhal. The ongoing legal disputes, including a Supreme Court order to maintain the status quo regarding a well near the mosque’s entrance, have added layers of complexity to the conflict.On January 10, 2025, the Supreme Court intervened, emphasizing the need to uphold peace and harmony. The Court has paused any further action on the mosque until the Allahabad High Court hears the case. A status report from the district administration is due within two weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for February 21, 2025.Sambhal, a city with a rich historical and cultural legacy, now finds itself at a crossroads. The violence and unrest have disrupted livelihoods and fractured social harmony. While the Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member committee to investigate the violence, the road to normalcy remains fraught with challenges.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath defended the mosque survey in the Assembly, attributing disruptions to inflammatory speeches during Friday prayers. His comments, however, have sparked further debates, with opposition leaders demanding discussions on the communal violence. | Video Credit: The Hindu
Sambhal has been in the spotlight since it witnessed violence on November 24, 2024, the second day of a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid following the order of a local court. Protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with U.P. Police personnel, leading to heavy pelting of stones and the alleged firing of guns at the police, who claim to have used “mild force” to control the situation. Five people died and several others were injured in the clashes. U.P. Police has denied allegations that it fired at the protesters. The Supreme Court has since ordered the Sambhal trial court to halt the survey and the proceedings in the case.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com.
