A survey team conducting an inspection of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal district was met with stone pelting from unidentified “anti-social elements” on Sunday morning. The incident prompted a heavy police response, with tear gas deployed to control the escalating situation, authorities said.
According to Director General of Police (DGP) Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Kumar, the situation has since been brought under control. “The survey is being conducted in Sambhal under court orders. Some anti-social elements threw stones. Police and senior officials are on the ground, and the situation is under control. We will identify the stone pelters and take appropriate legal action,” he said.
The survey forms part of a legal process initiated following a petition by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, who has raised claims that the Shahi Jama Masjid was originally a temple. A similar survey had taken place on November 19, under the supervision of local police and the mosque’s management committee.
(Inputs from ANI)