The issue at Sambhal is not an isolated one. It mirrors the contentious debates surrounding other sites like the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, and the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura
Dr. Viswanath Pandey
The unrest in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is yet another stark reminder of how deeply historical grievances, political agendas, and religious tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface of Indian society. The violence, which claimed four lives and injured many others, was triggered by a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, an ancient mosque believed by some to have been constructed over a Hindu temple destroyed during the reign of Mughal emperor Babur. This incident has brought into sharp focus several unresolved issues in Indian society: the role of the judiciary in such sensitive matters, the handling of communal tensions by the state machinery, and the broader question of whether religious harmony in India is becoming an illusion.
The Trigger: A Disputed History and Religious Tensions
The origins of the Sambhal unrest can be traced back to a petition filed by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and others, which alleged that the Shahi Jama Masjid was built atop the ruins of a Shri Harihar Temple in 1529. The petition, based on historical texts like the Baburnama and Ain-e-Akbari, argued for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to investigate the site. This petition was not just a legal matter but one laden with emotional and religious symbolism. The claim that Sambhal was also the birthplace of Kalki, the 10th avatar of Vishnu, added further layers to the issue, igniting religious sensitivities in the region.
As the ASI began its survey on November 19, 2023, tensions escalated. The local Muslim community opposed the survey, viewing it as an affront to their religious identity. On November 26, violence erupted, with protesters clashing with the police. The state responded with heavy security, prohibitory orders, and internet suspensions. However, despite these measures, the unrest continued, leading to fatalities and a large number of arrests. The violence underscored the administrative failure to manage the situation in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Historical Narratives and Their Political Implications
The issue at Sambhal is not an isolated one. It mirrors the contentious debates surrounding other sites like the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, and the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura. Each of these sites is not just a religious symbol but a political flashpoint. In Sambhal, the Shahi Jama Masjid’s history has become the latest battleground where the past is being weaponized to stoke contemporary political fires.
Critics argue that revisiting these historical sites with a 21st-century perspective often leads to selective narratives that amplify divisions rather than foster understanding. Historian Audrey Truschke points out, “Revisiting medieval histories with a 21st-century lens often leads to selective narratives that amplify divisions rather than foster understanding.” The politicization of these sites is seen by many as an attempt to create or deepen rifts between communities for electoral gain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foundation stone laying for the Kalki Dham in the region only underscores how religious narratives are being intertwined with political agendas.
Local BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh defended the decision to conduct the survey, asserting that no provocative song was played during the procession, and the song in question was actually anti-Pakistan. He condemned the unrest, saying, “Those responsible for this incident will not be spared, but no innocent person will be harassed.” While Singh attempted to downplay the role of the survey, his statement hints at the broader political polarization over religious issues in the region.
On the other hand, opposition leaders, particularly from the Samajwadi Party (SP), have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of inflaming tensions for electoral gain. SP leaders argue that the BJP is exploiting religious disputes to consolidate its vote bank in a region with a significant Muslim population. This charge of religious polarization has become a recurrent theme in India’s political discourse, with the BJP consistently accused of using communal issues to rally support for its agenda.
The Role of the Judiciary in Sensitive Matters
The judiciary’s role in ordering the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid has also been scrutinized. While the court’s mandate was to address a citizen grievance, critics argue that such actions are not always well thought out in terms of their potential sociopolitical ramifications. The order to conduct a survey in a highly sensitive religious area could have been foreseen to cause unrest, yet it was carried out without adequate preparation for the ensuing consequences.
Former Supreme Court Justice Markandey Katju weighed in on the matter, noting, “While the judiciary must ensure justice, it must also weigh the potential fallout of its orders in sensitive matters. A balanced approach is essential to prevent unrest.” Katju’s comments reflect a growing concern that judicial decisions related to religious disputes often fail to consider the broader social context, leading to unanticipated violence and chaos.
The timing of the survey also raised questions. The ASI’s decision to conduct the survey between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., ostensibly to avoid disrupting prayers, was criticized for failing to anticipate the potential for protest. Zafar Ali, president of the Shahi Jama Masjid management committee, claimed that the survey was legally unsupported and that the authorities had mishandled the situation. This claim was disputed by Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Painsia, who maintained that the survey was conducted according to court orders. However, the subsequent unrest and the arrest of over 25 individuals suggest that the administration was more reactive than preventive in its approach.
Governance and Administrative Failures
The handling of the unrest in Sambhal has brought to the forefront the failures of local governance and administrative machinery. Despite the imposition of prohibitory orders and the deployment of security forces, the situation spiraled out of control. The lack of coordination between the police and local authorities exacerbated the violence, and the absence of a clear strategy to address the underlying grievances only deepened the crisis.
Moreover, the administration’s failure to engage with community leaders or religious representatives in the lead-up to the survey highlights a fundamental flaw in governance. Instead of focusing on dialogue and reconciliation, the authorities opted for a more confrontational approach, which ultimately led to violence. This is especially problematic in a state like Uttar Pradesh, where communal tensions are often high and the stakes are politically significant.
The Struggle Over Identity, Rights, and Resources
The Sambhal unrest is symptomatic of a larger struggle over identity, rights, and resources in India. Religious disputes over sites like the Shahi Jama Masjid are not just about the preservation of cultural heritage but also about power and control over land. For many advocates of temple restoration, addressing these historical wrongs is seen as essential to reclaiming lost cultural and religious heritage. However, critics argue that these issues divert attention from more pressing concerns like poverty, unemployment, and education.
Religious scholar Asghar Ali Engineer’s statement, “Communal conflicts in India are often less about religion and more about power, privilege, and property,” rings true in the context of Sambhal. Both sides in the dispute are not just fighting over a mosque or a temple but also over what these sites represent: a claim to identity, history, and political power.
The unrest also underscores the vulnerability of marginalized communities, particularly the Muslim population in Sambhal. Already facing economic and social challenges, this community has borne the brunt of the violence, arrests, and disruptions. Minority leaders, such as All India Muslim Jamaat Chief Shahbuddin Razvi Barelvi, have called for peace, urging the government to protect minority rights and ensure justice. The government’s response to these concerns will play a critical role in shaping the region’s future.
Lessons for the Future: Dialogue, Transparency, and Restraint
The lessons from the Sambhal violence are critical for India’s governance, judiciary, and civil society. First, sensitive disputes involving religion and history require comprehensive dialogue and mediation. Local stakeholders, religious leaders, and community representatives must be involved in the decision-making process to prevent misunderstandings and promote trust.
Second, the judiciary and administrative bodies must prioritize transparency and accountability. Surveys, excavations, and similar actions should be conducted with clear objectives and safeguards to ensure that they do not lead to social unrest. Adequate preparation and foresight are essential to avoid exacerbating tensions.
Finally, political parties must exercise restraint when leveraging religious issues for electoral gains. As historian Ramachandra Guha warns, “The politicization of religion not only endangers communal harmony but also weakens the secular fabric of the Indian state.” The rise of religiously charged politics has deepened divisions in society and undermined the values of secularism and pluralism that India prides itself on.
The Sambhal unrest is a stark reminder that India’s political and social fabric remains fragile. To move beyond the cycle of violence, all stakeholders must work together to restore peace and justice in a manner that respects the country’s pluralistic values and history. Only then can India hope to create a future that is rooted in unity, progress, and shared understanding.
The violence in Sambhal is not an isolated incident but a manifestation of deeper, systemic issues that continue to plague India’s governance, judiciary, and societal harmony. The interplay of historical grievances, political agendas, and religious tensions has created a volatile environment where even judicial decisions are viewed through a polarized lens. The administrative failure to manage such sensitive matters, coupled with the political exploitation of religious disputes, has only deepened divisions in the region.
As India grapples with the aftermath of the Sambhal unrest, it must confront the uncomfortable truth that history—though important—should not be wielded as a tool to exacerbate contemporary conflicts. The country’s future hinges on its ability to transcend these historical narratives and build a new political and social order based on dialogue, respect, and understanding. Ensuring that disputes over identity, history, and religion are addressed with sensitivity and care is paramount to safeguarding India’s secular fabric.
The lessons from Sambhal emphasize the need for a balanced and transparent approach from both the judiciary and the government. These institutions must consider the broader socio-political context before making decisions that could inflame communal tensions. Simultaneously, political parties must resist the temptation to capitalize on religious issues for short-term gains and instead focus on the unity and progress of the nation as a whole.
Ultimately, the path forward for Sambhal, and for India at large, lies in fostering an environment where all communities feel heard, respected, and protected.
(Author is a former P.R. Officer at B.H.U., renowned for writing extensively researched books, and a staunch advocate for strong democracy and democratic values globally, standing as a prominent voice among intellectuals and thought leaders.)
