In the aftermath of the deadly violence in Sambhal, a local imam has been fined Rs 2 lakh for using a loudspeaker at high volume at the Anar Wali Masjid in the Kot Garvi area. The incident occurred on Friday, and authorities took action after complaints about noise levels.
Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra confirmed that the imam, identified as 23-year-old Tahzeeb, was fined as a precautionary measure and granted bail. He has also been directed not to use loudspeakers in a similar manner for the next six months.
This action comes in the wake of intense tensions in Sambhal, which erupted following violence on November 24, when clashes broke out between locals and security forces over a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. The violence resulted in at least four deaths and several injuries.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha, condemned the violence in Sambhal and highlighted the BJP’s alleged role in fueling unrest. She also addressed other issues, including the monopoly of the Adani Group and the demand for a nationwide caste census.
Mamlook Ur Rehman, father of Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman, accused the police of atrocities against locals in the wake of the violence and warned that tensions in the area would persist unless arrests stopped. Zia Ur Rehman, a Samajwadi Party MP, is also accused in the case. So far, around 40 suspects have been arrested.
Rehman also praised the Supreme Court’s recent decision to prevent courts from handling lawsuits seeking to reclaim religious places like mosques and dargahs, citing the decision as a step towards easing tensions.
