Hindus Struggle Amid Riots, Reduced to 15% of Population in Sambhal
A recent judicial commission report has revealed that Hindus in Sambhal have been systematically targeted in all major riots in the region. From 1936 to 2019, 213 people lost their lives in communal riots and disturbances, out of which 209 were Hindus, brutally killed by violent mobs.
On August 28, a three-member judicial commission submitted a 450-page detailed report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, investigating the violence that occurred on November 24, 2024, during a survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal.
Principal Secretary to the CM and Home Department, Sanjay Prasad, confirmed that the report will be presented in the cabinet and both houses of the legislature. The government will study the findings and plan further actions accordingly.
Headed by retired Justice Devendra Arora, the commission's report details Sambhal’s socio-political history and communal tensions. It confirms that the 24 November violence stemmed from long-standing unrest. During a clash between Pathan and Turk communities, four people were killed and over 30 policemen were injured.
The report states that in all 15 riots in Sambhal, Hindus were deliberately targeted. In the 1978 Holi riot alone, 184 Hindus were killed in a gruesome manner. No Muslim deaths were reported in that riot. Overall, only four Muslims have died in riots in Sambhal: two during the 2019 CAA protests and two during the post-Babri demolition violence in 1992.
The report also highlights a significant demographic shift. Hindu population in Sambhal has declined from 45% to just 15–20% over the decades. Along with a detailed account of the November 24 incident, the report documents past riots and the administrative lapses involved.
The commission criticized the role of police and administration and suggested preventive measures for the future. It mentioned that the violence was allegedly pre-planned and involved outsiders, though major damage was prevented due to police presence.
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The report also mentions that several terrorist organizations are active in Sambhal. It references Maulana Asim alias Sanaa-ul-Haq, who has been designated a terrorist by the United States.