The violence in UP’s Sambhal is an attempt to destroy the secular and democratic fabric of India. Following the pattern witnessed in Gyanvapi and other sites, a dispute was created in Sambhal by claiming that the 16th-century Jama Masjid was previously a temple. Despite a prior survey being conducted, a second survey was initiated on Sunday morning. This is a clear violation of the Places of Worship Act, 1991 which guarantees the status of every place of religious worship as on 15 August 1947.
According to reports, four Muslim youths have been gunned down by police during the Yogi regime’s ruthless crackdown on those protesting against the arbitrary and provocative survey in Sambhal. The whole incident points towards a deliberate conspiracy by Sangh-BJP, emboldened by its recent by-election victory, to stoke communal polarisation and intimidate members of Muslim communities across the state. The Sambhal incident comes just days after the state witnessed a series of violent actions by the BJP-police nexus aimed at intimidating and disenfranchising Muslim voters during the recent by-elections.
The Supreme Court of India must urgently intervene to stop this orchestrated assault on the country’s syncretic ethos and blatant violation of Places of Worship Act, 1991. Diversity and harmony are the two legs on which India can stand united and firm to weather any storm. Attack on these foundations is an outright assault on the shared historical legacy and very spirit of India.
There must be criminal action against police and administrative officials, who along with Vishnu Shankar Jain incited the violence in Sambhal.
The CPI(ML) calls upon all progressive, secular and democratic forces to unite against the Sangh-BJP's divisive agenda.
