Tension continues in India after violent clashes over mosque survey

The city of Sambhal in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh was put on alert after three people died and dozens were injured in violent clashes on Sunday.

Clashes broke out between protesters and police during a court-monitored investigation at the Mughal-era Jama Masjid (mosque).

Authorities detained 21 people in connection with the violence, suspended internet services and closed schools in the area for a day.

The investigation was ordered by a local court just hours after a petition was filed claiming that the mosque was built on the site of a destroyed temple.

In the conflict videos and images shared on social media, slippers, bricks and stones are scattered around the mosque.

Protesters claim three people were shot by police, but authorities have denied this.

“No weapon was used that could have cost anyone’s life,” police chief Krishan Kumar told The Hindu newspaper.

Latest in the controversy surrounding Jama Masjid In a series of disputes regarding mosques in the countryHindu groups claimed that Mughal rulers destroyed temples to build them.

Legal cases regarding these allegations are currently being pursued by Muslim groups in various courts.

Tensions have been rising in Sambhal since Tuesday after a local court ordered a videotaped investigation into the Jama Masjid. The inquiry was ordered hours after a petition claimed the mosque was built after Mughal ruler Babur destroyed the Hari Har temple in the 1520s.

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh, ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), conducted the first investigation of the mosque on the same day.

Sections of Muslim groups in Sambhal protested against this, claiming that they were not given any advance notice in this regard. They have he questioned the urgency The court ordered exercise with this.

Police said a second survey was conducted at the mosque on Sunday morning and turned violent after a large group of protesters gathered near the mosque and began chanting slogans at the survey team.

Senior police official Aunjaneya Kumar Singh told The Hindu that the protesters allegedly hurled stones at the police and were left with no option but to use force to take the investigation team to safety.

He added that tear gas grenades and rubber bullets were fired to disperse the crowd.

Mr Singh identified the three victims as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman and said they died of gunshot wounds sustained during the clashes.

Opposition leaders have criticized the state government and accused it of orchestrating the violence for political gain, a charge it denies.

“No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands,” Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told the Indian Express newspaper, adding that authorities were investigating the incident.

Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a leading organization of Islamic scholars, condemned disputes over mosques in the country, saying they violated Indian law.