UP CM Adityanath On Sambhal Violence: 'Atmosphere Deteriorated After Speeches During Friday Prayers'

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath defended the mosque survey in Sambhal, stating it was ordered by court and disrupted by provocative speeches.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday defended the recent survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, asserting that the exercise, conducted on court orders, was disrupted due to provocative speeches during Friday prayers. Adityanath made the remarks in the Assembly while responding to demands from opposition leaders for a discussion on communal violence in Sambhal and Bahraich.

“On the orders of the honourable court, the survey was conducted on 19th November, 21st November, and continued on 24th November. During the first two days of the survey, no disturbance of peace occurred. On the third day, however, before and during the Friday prayers on 23rd November, the type of speeches delivered caused the atmosphere to deteriorate. Following that, the kind of situations that arose are known to everyone. The situation after that is in front of everyone,” he remarked.

Four people were killed in Sambhal last month during protests against the mosque survey, which stemmed from a petition alleging it was the site of the Harihar temple and seeking permission to worship there.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announced that the judicial commission's report on Sambhal violence will be presented in the state assembly.

"That is why I am saying that our government had already announced that we would form a judicial commission. A commission has been formed under the Act, and its report will also be presented in this honourable house. The truth will come out for all to see, and justice will be served," said Yogi Adityanath.

Referring to the Baburnama, the memoir of Mughal Emperor Babur, Adityanath claimed, “The structure was built by demolishing the Harihar temple”, as quoted by news agency PTI. He also invoked the Puranas, stating, “The tenth incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu will be in Sambhal.” 

Criticising the opposition, Adityanath remarked, “They are trying to cover up the truth, but no one can hide the sun, moon, and truth for long. The truth will soon come out.”

Rejecting allegations that slogans like Jai Shri Ram and Hindu processions through Muslim-dominated areas provoked unrest, Adityanath questioned, “Where is it written in the Constitution that a Hindu procession cannot be taken out in a Muslim-dominated area?” “When you stop it, the reaction from the Hindu side also comes that we will also not let it go. I am surprised by these things that the procession will not be allowed in front of the mosque. Does this road belong to anyone? It is a public road, how can you stop anyone?” he further asked.

Adityanath also addressed the Bahraich violence during a Durga idol immersion procession in October, which led to the death of a 22-year-old man. He emphasised that traditional processions had been disrupted despite proper arrangements.

"There was a traditional procession in Bahraich too and all arrangements were completed to take that traditional procession forward. But to say that provocative slogans were being raised. The slogan of Jai Shri Ram is not provocative, it is the slogan of our devotion, a symbol of our faith. Tomorrow, if I tell you that we do not like the slogan of Allahu Akbar, will you like it? Our heritage is so vast and ancient.... I can spend my whole life with the salutations of Jai Shri Ram, Har Har Mahadev and Radhe Radhe. We do not need any other salutation," he stressed.

Samajwadi Party MLA Blames 'Provocative Actions' For Sambhal Violence

The remarks came after Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Iqbal Mahmood alleged that the survey order for the Sambhal mosque was issued hastily and that subsequent surveys, coupled with slogans of Jai Shri Ram, angered locals. “The Jama Masjid management cooperated fully in the survey, but the provocative actions that followed disturbed the peace,” Mahmood said, as quoted by PTI. He also claimed that the second survey was ordered to divert attention from the Kundarki assembly bypoll results.

Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra criticised the government, stating, “This is not just a political issue, but a matter of the safety of 25 crore people of UP. It is unfortunate that the atmosphere of the state is not good today due to these incidents.”

Communal Riots Reduced By 97–99% In Uttar Pradesh Since 2017: CM Yogi Adityanath

Adityanath maintained that the administration acted justly, with a judicial commission formed to investigate the Sambhal violence. “The commission is taking statements and will bring out the truth. However, unnecessary stone-pelting and firing from illegal weapons will not restore peace,” he said.

Highlighting the state government’s track record, Adityanath cited NCRB data, claiming a 97–99% reduction in communal riots since his government’s formation in 2017. He contrasted this with previous regimes, stating, “From 2012 to 2017, during the SP tenure, there were 815 communal riots in which 192 people died. Between 2007 and 2011, under the BSP, there were 616 incidents with 121 fatalities.”

The Chief Minister concluded, “A survey was being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the honourable court. Chanting Jai Shri Ram is not a communal act. If chanting it offends anyone, it is their intent that should be questioned.”