An FIR has been lodged against Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and Sohail Iqbal, the son of local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood, in connection with violent protests opposing a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The clashes on Sunday left four people dead and dozens injured, with authorities alleging the duo incited the unrest.

Sambhal’s district magistrate, Rajendra Pensiya, and Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated during a press briefing on Monday that the situation was under control. “The rioters will be identified using video footage, arrested, and sent to jail,” Bishnoi said, adding that 25 arrests had already been made.

A total of seven FIRs have been registered, naming six individuals, including Barq and Iqbal, along with 2,750 unidentified others. Authorities suspect the violence was premeditated, with protesters reportedly travelling from as far as 10-15 kilometres away.

The unrest stems from a Sambhal civil court order directing an advocate commissioner to survey the mosque, following a petition alleging the mosque was built in 1529 after demolishing a Hindu temple. The survey, initiated last Tuesday, sparked tensions in the area. When officials returned on Sunday to continue the survey, a large crowd gathered, chanting slogans and throwing stones. Police responded with a lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the mob.

Superintendent Bishnoi commented, “Prime facie, it seems the violence was planned. The rioters will soon be arrested as we have all the CCTV footage.” Prohibitory orders are now in place, barring outsiders from entering Sambhal until November 30. Internet services remain suspended in Sambhal tehsil, and schools were closed on Monday.

SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq denied the allegations, telling ANI, “It is a pre-planned incident. Across the country, Muslims are being targeted. Such a situation has never arisen post-independence. The Places of Worship Act is being violated, with hearings and orders being passed hastily. People were even stopped from offering Namaz. What was the necessity for a second survey?”

Adding to the political discourse, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the BJP government’s handling of the incident. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi said, “The biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely unfortunate. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the violence and firing.”

He accused the administration of acting without consulting all parties, exacerbating the situation and leading to casualties. Holding the BJP directly responsible, Gandhi added, “The BJP's use of power to create a rift and discrimination between Hindu-Muslim communities is neither in the interest of the state nor the country. I request the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter as soon as possible and do justice.”

He further urged citizens to promote peace and harmony, stating, “We all have to join together to ensure that India moves forward on the path of unity and constitution, not communalism and hatred.”

Tension had been brewing in the area since November 19, when the Civil Court ordered an advocate commissioner to carry out the survey of Jama Masjid. The survey was ordered in response to the petition filed by Vishnu Shankar Jain which claimed that the Harihar Mandir once stood at that place and the mosque was built after razing a Hindu Temple in 1529.

Investigations into the Sambhal violence are ongoing, with authorities vowing strict action against those involved.