Indian lawmakers slam killing of 4 civilians in clashes over mosque 'survey'

By Anadolu staff

Opposition members of the Indian parliament on Monday condemned the killing of four civilians in clashes that erupted in a northern Indian town over a "survey" of a Mughal-era mosque on Sunday.

“The violence that occurred there, where three Muslims were shot dead, is something we strongly condemn. This is not firing, this is murder,” Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party told reporters outside the parliament.

Some lawmakers also raised the issue inside the parliament soon after it reconvened for the winter session.

Owaisi, who represents the southern Hyderabad seat in the parliament, said the mosque in question is 200-250 years old and the court passed “an ex-parte order” regarding the mosque without hearing its caretakers.

A local court had ordered a survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in the Sambhal town of Uttar Pradesh state, following a petition claiming that a temple stood at the site of the mosque.

On Sunday morning, when officials arrived in the town to conduct the survey, locals opposed the move, triggering clashes between security personnel and the natives. Internet has been snapped in the area.

Opposition Congress party lawmaker Imran Masood termed the incident very sad and blamed the police. “If people went there for a survey, why did the police let social elements go there and do provocative sloganeering?” he asked, adding that the "country cannot run on hate."

Another opposition lawmaker, Ram Gopal Yadav, demanded a murder case be filed against those who fired at the natives.

According to police officials, the death toll in Sunday’s violence increased to four.

Muniraj G, a senior police official in Sambhal, said on Monday the situation is "peaceful" in the town.

While several cases have been registered, the official added: "As the situation improves, internet services would be restored in the area."

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi also demanded intervention of the country's top court into the matter.

“The biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is extremely unfortunate,” he wrote on X, urging peace and mutual harmony.

The Sambhal mosque is the only surviving Mughal-era building constructed during the time of Emperor Babar, as one in Panipat is in ruins and another at Ayodhya was demolished by a mob in 1992. Mughals ruled much of the Indian subcontinent for more than 200 years.

In the recent past, right-wing elements in India have filed back-to-back petitions in courts, claiming that UNESCO-protected monuments and Mughal-era mosques are temples.

A 17th century Shahi Idgah Mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura is also facing a legal battle as a Hindu group is claiming that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Krishna.