Tensions in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, escalated into deadly clashes after a court-ordered survey of the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid. The survey, prompted by claims that the mosque was built on a demolished Hindu temple, sparked protests fueled by misinformation.
Police opened fire to disperse the crowd, leaving five dead, including 35-year-old Nayeem Ahmad, who was reportedly not part of the protests. Authorities imposed curfews, shut down the internet, and closed schools to contain the unrest.
Critics argue that such cases, increasingly common under Hindu nationalist influence, deepen religious divides and undermine India’s 1991 Places of Worship Act, which prohibits altering the status of religious sites.
The incident highlights rising communal tensions and the ongoing challenges to preserving interreligious harmony in India. Families of victims demand justice amid growing fears of further unrest.
