The police responded with tear gas to disperse the mob.
Chaos erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal this morning as a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid led to violent clashes between the locals and the police, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The mosque is at the centre of a contentious legal battle over claims that it was built on the site of a Hindu temple. The schools in Sambhal and nearby areas have been shut till November 25.
The violence, police said, started when a crowd gathered near the mosque as the survey team, led by an "Advocate Commissioner," began its work.
The crowd swelled to nearly a thousand people, and they tried to prevent the police from entering the mosque. Some people in the crowd threw stones at the police personnel stationed at the site. The mob also set ablaze more than ten vehicles.
The police responded with tear gas. In the chaos, two persons were killed and over 30 police personnel were injured.
"Three people identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman have been killed. Some policemen including the gunner of the superintendent of police have also been injured," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.
The survey, which began at 7:30 am, was part of a process initiated by a petition claiming that a temple once stood in place of the mosque.
Tensions have been simmering in Sambhal since a similar survey was conducted on Tuesday. The petitioners argue that historical texts such as "Baburnamah" and "Ain-e-Akbari" document the destruction of the temple by Mughal emperor Babur in 1529.
Supporters of the survey argue that it is a necessary step in uncovering historical truths, while critics view it as a provocation that violates the sanctity of religious places as upheld by the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
"Some individuals in the crowd threw stones at the police team. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control. Those involved in the violence will be identified and action will be taken," said Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi.
Moradabad Police Commissioner Ananjay Kumar Singh said 15 people, three women among them, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Videos circulating online purportedly show the throwing of stones near the mosque.
Despite the unrest, officials completed the survey as planned. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said the survey team conducted a detailed examination of the site, supported by videography and photography as per the court's directives. The survey report is scheduled to be submitted by November 29.
The incident has sparked a wave of political and community reactions.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi posted a video on X of police officers directly firing during the violence, raising questions on the role of the police. In the video, DIG Range Muniraj is seen firing a pistol and is heard asking the policemen to fire. The Sambhal police have denied firing. NDTV has not been able to verify the video independently.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP-led government of orchestrating the unrest to distract from allegations of electoral malpractice in recent bypolls.
"The Supreme Court should immediately take cognizance of the conspiracy to spread tension in the name of survey and a case of disturbing peace and harmony should be registered against those who took sloganeers with them with the aim of disturbing social harmony and the Bar Association should also take disciplinary and punitive action against them. There was no hope from the UP government and administration, nor is there any now," read a rough translation of another of his posts on X, formerly Twitter.
SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq also criticised the survey, citing the Places of Worship Act, 1991. "The Jama Masjid of Sambhal is a historic site. The Supreme Court had ruled that religious places as they existed in 1947 must remain unchanged," Mr Barq said.
(With inputs from Rajat Malhotra)