Sambhal riots: Judicial panel members record statements of govt employees
Sambhal (UP), Jan 30 (PTI): Members of the judicial commission appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on November 24 last year recorded the statements of officials on Thursday.
The commission, which includes former High Court Judge Devendra Arora, former Director General of Police (DGP) Arvind Kumar Jain and former Uttar Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary Amit Mohan Prasad, is stationed at the PWD guest house on Chandausi Road to record the statements, local officials said.
The commission was formed following the riots which killed four people and injured several including policemen.
The commission had previously visited Sambhal on December 1 and January 21. During the last visit, 51 complaints were registered with the commission in relation to the violence.
The victims of the 1978, 1986 and 1992 riots in Sambhal held a procession to the PWD guest house and submitted a memorandum to the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Sambhal.
Victims have long been demanding re-investigation of the previous riots. They include those who lost their loved ones and suffered damage to their property.
Manoj Kumar, a victim of the 1978 riots, told reporters that his grandparents, Kishan Singh and Nareni, were burnt alive at the gate of Banwari Lal Murari Lal during the riots. Their bodies were never recovered and the family never received justice.
"We have not got justice for it till date... The culprits should be punished and the entire incident should be disclosed. We request the Yogi government to set up a judicial commission to bring out the truth of the 1978 riots," Manoj Kumar said.
Similarly, Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, another victim of the 1978 riots, recalled how his shop was destroyed in the violence. Despite his significant loss, he received a meagre compensation of Rs 200.
Rastogi emphasised that the compensation did not match the scale of the loss he suffered. He also called for a re-investigation of the 1978 riots to "uncover" the truth, adding, "Our MPs and MLAs at the time were not sympathetic to our plight and we seek justice even today."
SDM Vandana Mishra confirmed that some people had presented a memorandum requesting a detailed investigation into the past riots.
Mishra explained that the judicial commission is currently recording statements of government officers and employees, while earlier dates were allocated for statements from the general public. She assured that the public would be informed of any future dates of hearings.
Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia told reporters that the judicial commission visited Sambhal for the third time on Thursday and the statements of all the concerned officials were recorded. Affidavits were also submitted on their behalf as testimony, he added.
He said whenever the judicial commission visits, prior information is given through an official letter specifying whose statements will be recorded, he said.
Judicial commission member A K Jain told reporters that affidavits and other documents were submitted and their confirmation was done.
He said the remaining work would be completed during the next visit.
Asked about the timing of their next visit, he said it is not yet decided but prior intimation will be given before they come again.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
