‘Fear, fear and only fear’: Muslims in Sambhal are on edge as government turns against them

A thin smile and a slight nod suggesting a “no”. This was the response Scroll got from many Muslims headed to Friday prayers at Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid last week when asked if they wanted to talk.

The strained atmosphere was the consequence of deadly violence on November 24 in which Muslim protesters had clashed with the police during a survey of the town’s Mughal-era congregational mosque ordered by a court after Hindutva claims that it had been built on the site of a temple.

This followed a similar court-ordered survey at the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. Hindu groups have also made claims on the famous dargah in Ajmer as well as mosques in Mathura, Lucknow, Jaunpur and Dhar.

Nearly a month after the violence in Sambhal, the district magistrate was on the spot, supervising security arrangements outside the mosque, as a posse of armed policemen kept a close watch on those walking in for prayers.

These bristling security arrangements were not enough: congregants were also prevented from speaking to the media. After the prayers, the police cordoned off the mosque. Worshippers were forced leave through a lane where no journalists were allowed.

The scenes during the Friday prayer demonstrate the tension in Sambhal despite the Supreme Court on November 29 staying further action...

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