By Aliza Noor
In Sambhal’s Khaggu Sarai neighbourhood where an old temple was re-opened, there persists an eerie silence. Amid scores of homes, a few people stared from their terrace and windows but hid as soon as they saw us approaching. This silence in Khaggu Sarai is a metaphor for the fear that has gripped Sambhal and its locals even months later.
“Ab toh bolne mein bhi darr lagta hain ke kahi humare saath hi dhoke se kuch na hojaye.” This was a sentiment that was common for all the people we spoke to, local businessmen, lawyers, journalist, families of the victims, etc.
Sambhal makes it to news headlines every now and then, the latest one being the decision to outlaw an age-old fair — the Neja Mela — held by Muslims to commemorate Saiyad Salar Masud Ghazi. From covering mosques ahead of Holi, to CO Anuj Chaudhary’s remarks on suggesting Muslims to stay indoors on Holi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath backing his statements.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a more sinister game at play.
At the time The Quint visited Sambhal, 80 arrests had been made in connection with the November 2024 violence. We looked into how the lives of locals have changed and what the future holds for the city. In the wake of the ongoing arrests, politics around the Shahi Jama masjid, this is the story of a town where Hindutva claims seem to be growing taller, and the people quieter.
This story was originally published in thequint.com. Read the full story here.
