Sambhal violence 2024: Probe panel claims unrest 'pre-planned', links SP MP, MLA

A judicial probe into the 2024 Sambhal violence has concluded that the unrest was pre-planned and involved political figures from the Samajwadi Party (SP). The findings, presented in a report submitted to the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly, point to the involvement of SP MP Zia ur Rahman Barq and the son of SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, Suhail Iqbal. The report suggests that false information was circulated within the Muslim community regarding a survey being conducted near the Shahi Jama Masjid, triggering the violence. According to the report, the bullets that caused fatalities were not fired by police, and there were attempts to loot police weapons during the chaos. The violence erupted on November 24, 2024, near the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-monitored survey of the mosque. The incident led to four deaths and multiple injuries. The three-member judicial commission, which met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath before submitting its report, traced the roots of communal tensions in Sambhal back to a 1953 Shia-Sunni conflict. Major riots occurred in subsequent years, including in 1956, 1959, 1962, when Jan Sangh MLA Mahesh Gupta was stabbed, 1966, and 1976, when disputes over a mosque committee and the murder of a maulvi led to temple attacks and curfews. The report highlights a significant demographic transformation in Sambhal, noting that the Hindu population has decreased from 45 percent at the time of India’s independence to just 15 percent today, with Muslims making up 85 percent of the population. This shift has been a focal point in discussions around the incident, with the chief minister emphasizing that the state is moving away from policies perceived as appeasing minority communities toward ensuring their satisfaction. Adityanath attributed the recent violence to a pattern of targeted actions against Hindus under previous administrations. During the foundation-laying ceremony for development projects in Sambhal, Adityanath reiterated his stance that the state would not tolerate any further demographic changes. He described the judicial commission’s findings as a critical step in understanding the underlying causes of the violence. The report, according to news agencies, indicates that the unrest was orchestrated through deliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at inciting fear and anger among the local Muslim population. The probe panel’s findings have drawn attention to the potential role of political actors in exacerbating existing tensions. The report specifically names SP MP Zia ur Rahman Barq and Suhail Iqbal, suggesting they may have played roles in spreading the false narratives that contributed to the violence. However, neither individual has publicly commented on these allegations, and no formal charges have yet been filed against them. The report does not provide direct evidence linking these individuals to the planning of the violence, but it implies their influence in the area could have facilitated such actions. Reactions to the report have varied. While the chief minister has used the findings to justify his government’s approach to communal harmony, some civil rights activists have called for a more thorough investigation into the alleged political motivations behind the unrest. They argue that the report should be scrutinized independently to ensure transparency and avoid politicizing the incident. Meanwhile, local leaders from both religious communities have expressed concern over the potential for renewed tensions and have urged authorities to take preventive measures. The submission of the report marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding communal relations in Uttar Pradesh. With the state government preparing to implement new policies based on the findings, the focus will likely shift to how these conclusions are translated into actionable steps. The report’s emphasis on historical patterns of conflict underscores the need for long-term strategies to address deep-seated grievances and prevent future incidents. As the situation evolves, the role of political leadership in shaping public perception and policy responses will remain central to the narrative.