India’s Hindu Right Seems Unstoppable. This City Shows How.

Sambhal, a city where Muslims make up roughly three-quarters of an estimated population of about 300,000, became the site of violent clashes around the 16th-century Shahi Jama Masjid in November 2024. An angry crowd had gathered to defend the mosque after a lawyer obtained a court order for an archaeological survey; the police charged at them with clubs, fired tear gas and opened fire.

Residents said at least five people were killed. "The system, this hatred they are sowing, took my son," said Nafisa, whose 17-year-old boy, Ayaan, was killed. The legal campaign that set the events in motion was led by Vishnu Shankar Jain, who said he was carrying out a court order and called the effort "about reclaiming our cultural heritage." His father had been part of the legal team in the earlier Ayodhya dispute over another 16th-century mosque.

A fast-moving survey team returned for a second inspection on Nov.

India, Sambhal

india, hindu right, sambhal, jama masjid, archaeological survey, vishnu shankar, ayodhya, court order, police firing, cultural heritage