Tensions flared into violence on Sunday as a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid triggered clashes between locals and police resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Over 40 people including policemen were reported injured in the violence.
Eyewitnesses say that during a second survey of the mosque, a mob attacked police personnel with stones and set vehicles ablaze. The police responded with tear gas and a baton charge to control the situation. Over 20 police officers and more than two dozen civilians were injured in the clashes, with reports of three deaths adding to the unrest.
According to police, violence erupted when a crowd of nearly a thousand gathered outside the mosque to prevent a survey team, led by a court-appointed advocate commissioner, from entering. As tensions escalated, some individuals in the crowd reportedly began pelting stones at the police, leading to retaliation with tear gas. Amid the chaos, over ten vehicles were set ablaze.
“Some miscreants in the crowd resorted to violence. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control. Those involved will be identified and strict action will be taken,” said Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, superintendent of police.
District Magistrate Rajendra Pesia confirmed that approximately ten individuals were detained. Videos circulating on social media show scenes of stone-pelting and vehicles engulfed in flames.
“Three people identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman have been killed. Some policemen including the gunner of the superintendent of police have also been injured,” Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said.
Despite the unrest, the survey, which commenced at 7:30 am, was completed as planned. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the petitioners, stated that the survey team conducted a detailed examination of the site, supported by videography and photography in compliance with court directives. The report is set to be submitted by November 29.
The controversy stems from a court case filed by a Hindu group claiming that the Jama Masjid was originally the Harihar temple. Following a court directive, a commissioner was appointed to survey the site. Last Tuesday, the court-appointed team conducted an initial survey, including videography and photography, lasting about two hours. However, the second survey attempt on Sunday sparked violent protests. The court commissioner is expected to submit a detailed report to the court by November 29.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of deliberately orchestrating the violence. “The mosque was already surveyed earlier. Sending the team again, unprepared, was a deliberate attempt to provoke unrest and divert attention from pressing electoral issues,” he alleged.
Yadav further claimed that the BJP government was using such incidents to sideline discussions on governance failures and election-related malpractice.
Following the violence, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, appealed to the Muslim community to maintain peace and avoid acts of violence. “Islam promotes peace, and we must follow the Prophet’s message. The legal battle over the historical Jama Masjid will be fought strongly in court,” he said.
