The issue in Sambhal of Uttar Pradesh is far from over with discoveries constantly being made.
Last week an ‘ancient’ temple was discovered just weeks after the region saw unrest and violence after a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in another area escalated and took the lives of four people.
However now, reports claim that residents, mostly Muslims, who live near the temple are razing down their own houses as a ‘proactive’ measure.
What Is Going On With Residents Of Sambhal?
On Friday, 13th December, district officials in Sambhal reopened an ancient temple claimed to be almost 500 years old which has been closed since communal riots in the town in 1978.
According to a PTI report, authorities happened to “stumble” on this temple area while conducting an anti-encroachment drive and found a Hanuman idol and Shivling there. This happened near the Shahi Jama Masjid area itself and the temple is said to be called the Bhasma Shankar temple.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Misra was among the people who came across the temple during a campaign about electricity theft in the area. She said, “Upon noticing it, I immediately informed the district authorities.”
Misra further said, “We all came here together and decided to reopen the temple.”
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Now as per a Times of India report residents around the area mostly of the Muslim faith are demolishing their own houses.
Speaking with TOI anonymously, one resident said, “At least we can salvage some of our precious things this way. If we leave the demolition to the administration, we might not be left with anything.”
Apparently, the land the houses were built on was after ‘encroaching on temple property.’
The district administration is also going to be starting an anti-encroachment drive and installing CCTVs to better supervise the area. A smart meter was also installed at the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Zia-Ur Rahman after he was served a notice for alleged illegal construction as well.
Reports also claim that the power department detected power theft amounting to almost 1.3 crore in fines in various houses.
According to a report by The Wire, while the administration claims that the temple has been unattended since 1978 and was encroached upon by a wall, local Hindus have a different story.
Dharmendra Rastogi has reportedly said that the temple was open and functioning till 2006 and even the wall that is being “encroachment” was placed there by Hindus themselves as a way to protect the structure.
He said “The temple is as it was. There is no encroachment. We had raised the wall. It was a part of the temple.”
Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, another Hindu resident also revealed that while they did sell their house in the Khaggu Sarai area where the temple was found, however, Muslims stopped no one in the area from visiting the temple.
According to Vishnu Sharan, “We had to close the temple as the priests could not live here,” and “After the riots, Hindus gradually moved to other colonies and we couldn’t take care of the temple. Nobody objected to or stopped us from coming.”
Dharmendra also speaking with ABP seconded this sentiment saying “The last puja was conducted in 2006. There was no prohibition on darshan of the temple or taking its keys.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald
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