In a sensitive incident that has stirred concerns over communal harmony, police authorities in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh detained three individuals from Delhi on Friday for allegedly attempting to conduct Hindu religious rituals, including a havan and puja, within the premises of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a site already marred by previous communal unrest. The trio’s actions were intercepted before any ritual could be performed, thanks to preemptive security arrangements made by local law enforcement.
The incident unfolded just ahead of Friday prayers—a time when the mosque typically sees a large gathering of worshippers. Anticipating potential disturbances due to the prevailing communal sensitivities surrounding the site, the district administration had deployed a considerable police force in the area to maintain peace and order.
Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, while confirming the incident, said, “Three individuals arrived in a car and were apprehended near the disputed location. They were taken to the local police station. Legal action will be initiated against them under charges of attempting to breach public peace. Furthermore, the individuals will be served formal warnings and prohibited from entering Sambhal in the future.”
The detained individuals were identified as Sanatan Singh, Veer Singh Yadav, and Anil Singh — all hailing from the national capital. According to their accounts, they had allegedly come to conduct Hindu religious ceremonies at what they referred to as the Vishnu Harihar temple, a site they claim once existed where the Shahi Jama Masjid now stands.
Speaking to reporters after being detained, Sanatan Singh claimed, “We came to conduct a havan and yagna at the Vishnu Harihar temple site, but before we could begin, the police intervened and detained us. If people are allowed to offer namaz here, why shouldn’t we be allowed to perform puja?”
Another detainee, Veer Singh Yadav, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “We had come here solely to perform our religious rituals at the Sambhal mosque site, but we were stopped by the police.” Anil Singh, the third individual, said, “We planned to conduct a havan at the Harihar temple site, but the police took us into custody as soon as we arrived.”
The arrests took place in Mohalla Kot Garvi, a locality that has become the focal point of religious and legal disputes in recent months. The site in question is currently the subject of a court case involving a petition which claims that the Shahi Jama Masjid was constructed upon the ruins of a pre-existing Hindu temple. The court had previously ordered a survey of the site, a move that triggered intense public reaction and unrest.
Tensions reached a boiling point on November 24 last year when violent clashes erupted in response to the court-mandated survey. The violence led to the deaths of four individuals and left many others injured, including law enforcement officers. That incident significantly heightened communal tensions in Sambhal, leading authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward any religious activity that could be perceived as provocative or disruptive to the fragile peace.
Since the violence, the district has remained under heightened surveillance, with periodic reviews of security arrangements in sensitive areas. Authorities have repeatedly issued public appeals for calm and stressed the importance of maintaining communal harmony. They have also warned that any individual or group attempting to provoke religious sentiments or disturb the peace will face strict legal consequences.
In the wake of the latest incident, the police reiterated their stance on the importance of upholding public order. “We are committed to ensuring that no one—regardless of their background or beliefs—is allowed to disrupt the peace. Sambhal has already suffered due to previous unrest, and we will not allow the situation to deteriorate further,” a senior police official said.
The district administration has also appealed to religious leaders and community representatives from all sides to engage in constructive dialogue and encourage their followers to abide by the law. Preventive measures, including the monitoring of social media platforms for inflammatory content, have been put in place to ensure that misinformation does not further inflame tensions.
With the area still recovering from the aftershocks of last year’s communal violence, Friday’s attempt by the three individuals to perform religious rituals at the contested site has once again raised questions about the broader challenges of managing religious coexistence and legal disputes related to historical sites.
As legal proceedings regarding the disputed site continue, the authorities have urged all stakeholders to await judicial outcomes and refrain from taking any action that could compromise public safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the fragile balance that must be maintained in areas where history, faith, and contemporary politics intersect.