Sambhal temple revival: Locals refute encroachment claims, say temple was protected since 2006
New Delhi: Officials in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, have revived an old temple in a predominantly Muslim locality, sparking discussions on its history and the claims surrounding its closure. The district administration and police restored the structure, which had reportedly remained dormant for years, and reopened it for Hindu worship after clearing the site.
The temple, found in the Khaggu Sarai area, was reportedly discovered during an anti-encroachment drive. The administration claims the temple had been neglected since 1978, following communal riots that led Hindus in the area to relocate. However, Hindu residents have rejected the theory of encroachment, stating that the structure was always under their care and control.
The Sambhal administration, led by District Magistrate (DM) Rajender Pensiya and Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar Bishnoi, undertook cleaning and restoration efforts at the temple and a nearby well. Officials also installed CCTV cameras for security and stationed police personnel to monitor the site.
DM Pensiya revealed that the temple and its surroundings were found during the demolition of encroachments on roads and drains. Speaking about the discovery, Pensiya said, “We have written a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regarding the temple and the koop (well). Once they come and carry out carbon dating, we will actually find out how old the temple is.”
During the cleaning of the well, officials uncovered three idols, identified as Ganesha, Parvati (broken), and Lakshmi. DM Pensiya stated that the administration is investigating how the idols ended up in the well and that beautification plans will follow once the temple's antiquity is established.
The temple, now being referred to as the Pracheen Sambhaleshwar Mandir (Ancient Sambhaleshwar Temple), has also been painted saffron. Initially, DM Pensiya called it the Kartik Mahadev Mandir.
Hindu locals have contradicted the administration’s narrative of abandonment and encroachment. Dharmendra Rastogi, whose family owned property in the area, said the temple was functional until 2006. He claimed that his family had locked the structure and built a protective wall around it for preservation before relocating.
“The last puja was conducted in 2006. There was no prohibition on darshan of the temple or taking its keys,” Dharmendra told ABP News. He further clarified, “The temple is as it was. There is no encroachment. We had raised the wall. It was a part of the temple.”
Another resident, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, a patron of the city’s Hindu Sabha, stated that while Hindus gradually moved out of Khaggu Sarai after the 1978 riots, they were never prevented by Muslims from visiting the temple. “We had to close the temple as the priests could not live here,” he explained, adding that managing the temple had become increasingly difficult.
“There was no fear. Whoever could get a place somewhere else, moved out,” Dharmendra reiterated.
P. Verma, another former resident, said his family left the locality in 1993 but recalled that the temple was operational at least until then. “The cleaning took place, so did the puja archana,” he said, adding that the well and a nearby Peepal tree were significant to the area. “I used to drink water from this well. Women from the locality would come and wash clothes there,” Verma shared.
The temple’s revival has led to sharp political reactions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath used the event to criticise the Opposition, saying, “Did the administration build such an ancient temple in Sambhal overnight? Did such an ancient idol of Bajrangbali come there overnight? Why have those savages who committed the massacre in Sambhal 46 years ago not been punished till date? Why is this not discussed?” Adityanath claimed that the temple had been shut since 1978.
Sambhal MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq of the Samajwadi Party countered these claims, accusing the administration and government of spreading “false rumours” about the temple. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Barq stated, “The truth is that puja was performed in this temple till 16 years ago, and the lock of this temple was put by the Rastogi family itself. The keys were still with the Rastogi family. The maintenance of the temple was done by the Muslims of the neighbourhood.”
Barq criticised those propagating communal narratives and remarked, “Those looking for temples under mosques across the country should learn a lesson from the Muslims of Sambhal.” He asserted that the temple has remained unchanged since 46 years ago. “This is truly a slap on the face of those communal people,” he said.
Officials, meanwhile, are awaiting the ASI's assessment to determine the temple's age. The administration has committed to restoring the structure to its original form, with Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra stating that efforts are being made to preserve its antiquity.
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Karnataka Muslim Convention to be held in Bengaluru on May 16
Muslim organisations to release report on Congress govt’s three-year performance
Bengaluru: Major Muslim organisations and federations in Karnataka have decided to organise a large public convention titled ‘Karnataka Muslim Convention’ at Town Hall in Bengaluru on May 16. During the convention, a comprehensive report reviewing the three-year performance of the Congress government under the theme “What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?” will be released.
According to a statement issued on Friday, no politicians will be invited to the convention. The report will be submitted to the government and all MLAs after the event.
The convention is being held at a time when the Congress government is nearing the completion of three years in office on May 20. Muslim organisations have expressed dissatisfaction, alleging that despite extending strong support to the Congress in bringing it to power, the community is being neglected.
The Convention is being organised at time when there are concerns over inadequate political representation for Muslims, alleged neglect of community demands, and the suspension of senior Muslim leaders who had worked for the party for decades.
The organisers said the convention aims to raise questions on what the Congress government has delivered so far and what further steps are expected from the government.
The decision to hold the convention was taken during a meeting held on May 6 at A J International Hotel in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru. Representatives of major Muslim organisations, associations, ulema bodies, federations, and members of the ad hoc committee of Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota attended the meeting.
More than 75 representatives and delegates, including senior ulemas, jamaat leaders, lawyers, retired officials, journalists and members of the KRMO ad hoc committee, participated in the discussions.
Members of the KRMO ad hoc committee’s report preparation team and experts from different sectors presented a detailed report on the Congress government’s three-year performance. The report examined promises made to Muslims on ten major issues, the extent to which they were fulfilled, pending promises, alleged discrimination in representation, and the demands now being placed before the government.
The report covered issues such as the hijab ban, reservation cancellation, hate speech and hate crimes, budget allocation, political representation, waqf matters, the anti-cow slaughter law, anti-conversion law, scholarships and educational grants.
Participants offered suggestions and recommendations on various points, and necessary corrections to the report were accepted after detailed discussions.
The meeting also reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the manner in which the Congress government has treated the Muslim community. Participants are said to have opined that if the government and the Congress party continue in the same manner, the community should keep its political options open.
It was later decided that the report would be officially released at the large public convention on May 16 under the title “Karnataka Muslim Convention – What did the Congress government promise? What did it do? What next?”
The organisers appealed to people from all districts of the state to participate in large numbers and send a strong message to the government and the Congress party through the convention.
They also decided that all organisations, jamaats and associations should work towards ensuring participation from every district in Karnataka.
The statement reiterated that no politicians would be invited to the May 16 convention and that the report on the Congress government’s three-year performance would be submitted to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers and MLAs after the event.
