Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav condemned the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, calling it a “well-planned conspiracy aimed at hurting communal harmony.” The violence was linked to a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, sparking outrage among opposition leaders.
Allegations Against the Government
Yadav accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of undermining India’s “Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb” (composite culture) by supporting such surveys. “Those who want to dig everywhere will, one day, lose the brotherhood of the country,” Yadav warned, indirectly targeting the BJP.
He alleged that the government does not respect the Constitution, citing the postponement of nine bypolls earlier this month, coinciding with the mosque survey.
Details of the Incident
The violence erupted following an ex-parte order by a Sambhal civil court allowing a survey of the mosque. According to Yadav, the survey led to protests, a police lathi charge, and eventually, police firing. He claimed five innocent people were killed, dozens injured, and called for murder charges against the police and administration.
Political Fallout and Compensation
The Samajwadi Party has announced ₹5 lakh compensation for each victim’s family and demanded ₹25 lakh from the state government. Yadav criticized the administration for blocking an SP delegation from visiting Sambhal, questioning its actions on the day of the violence.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court has halted the survey of the mosque and directed the management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasized maintaining peace and neutrality in the matter.
Government Panel Investigation
The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member panel to investigate the riots. The inquiry will address whether the violence was spontaneous or a criminal conspiracy, the adequacy of police arrangements, the causes of the riots, and measures to prevent recurrence.
Broader Implications
The Sambhal violence has triggered wider political tensions, with opposition MPs pointing to a similar brewing controversy over the Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also criticized the UP government, calling for justice for the victims.
