Sambhal’s Troubled Past and Present: Judicial Report Exposes Demographic Shifts and Riots Since Independence

A judicial commission has submitted a damning 450-page report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, shedding light on Sambhal’s turbulent communal history and drastic demographic changes over the last eight decades. The report connects repeated outbreaks of violence, political appeasement, and migration to the near-erasure of the Hindu population in the district.

Image shows violence that broke out during a survey of a mosque in Sambhal in November, 2024. (PTI/ file) | India Today

A Drastic Demographic Shift

When India gained independence in 1947, Hindus made up around 45% of Sambhal’s population, while Muslims comprised approximately 55%. Over the decades, this balance has changed dramatically. The latest findings show that Hindus now constitute only about 15–20% of the district’s population, whereas Muslims account for nearly 80–85%.

The report underscores that this demographic transformation cannot be explained by natural population trends alone. Instead, it points to recurring communal clashes, targeted violence, and political appeasement as driving forces behind Hindu migration from Sambhal.

A History Marked by Riots

The commission traced at least fifteen major communal riots in Sambhal since 1947. Incidents in 1948, 1953, 1978, 1992, 2001, and 2019 stand out as turning points that accelerated Hindu displacement. In many of these clashes, Hindu families—especially from trading and moneylending communities—were disproportionately affected, leading to mass migration to other towns and cities.

The report alleges that successive governments and local administrations failed to prevent recurring unrest, often indulging in vote-bank politics and appeasement of powerful community leaders. This cycle of violence and political negligence, it argues, systematically eroded communal harmony and reshaped the city’s demography.

The November 2024 Violence

The latest cycle of unrest erupted in November 2024 during a court-ordered Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inspection of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid. Hindu groups claimed that the mosque was constructed on the ruins of the Harihar temple, an allegation that triggered heightened tensions.

When the survey began, violent protests broke out. Protesters hurled stones, torched vehicles, and clashed with police. The confrontation left at least four people dead and more than twenty security personnel injured. Investigators later filed multiple FIRs, and a 4,000-page chargesheet named over 150 accused in connection with the violence.

The panel highlighted the role of inflammatory speeches, particularly by local political leaders, in provoking the unrest. It also alleged that foreign-made weapons, counterfeit currency, and narcotics were being funneled into the region, raising suspicions of external conspiracies fueling the violence.

Cultural Heritage and Identity Politics

Beyond law and order, the judicial commission also pointed to the cultural and religious dimensions of the conflict. The claims surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid echo past disputes, most notably the Babri Masjid–Ram Janmabhoomi issue in Ayodhya. Archaeological remnants reportedly discovered during the survey have reignited debates about Sambhal’s ancient Hindu heritage.

In response, the Uttar Pradesh government has pledged to restore nearly seventy pilgrimage sites and nineteen sacred wells in Sambhal. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has positioned this effort as both a heritage revival and a step toward correcting decades of neglect. During a recent event in the district, he emphasized that demographic decline of Hindus was the result of flawed political policies and vowed strict action against those responsible for communal unrest.

The Judicial Commission’s Work

The three-member commission was led by retired High Court judge Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, along with former IPS officer A.K. Jain and ex-IAS officer Amit Mohan Prasad. Between December 2024 and February 2025, the panel conducted extensive site visits, recorded over two hundred witness statements, and reviewed police records before submitting its report on August 28, 2025.

The findings are now under review by the state cabinet and will later be presented in the legislative assembly for debate and action.

Conclusion

The Sambhal judicial report is more than just an inquiry into last year’s violence—it is a stark reminder of how repeated communal conflicts, political negligence, and heritage disputes have reshaped the identity of an entire city. Sambhal’s story reflects the deep scars of Partition, the failures of successive governments to uphold communal harmony, and the continued tug-of-war over religious and cultural symbols.

As the Uttar Pradesh government moves to restore heritage sites and address demographic imbalances, Sambhal stands at a crossroads: it can either continue to be a flashpoint of communal discord or transform into a space where historical wounds are acknowledged and reconciliation is pursued. The choices made now will determine whether future generations inherit a legacy of division or unity.

(Sources: India Today, OpIndia, Times of India)