In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, locals, including Hindu families and members of the Rastogi family, have strongly rejected recent claims made by news channels and right-wing influencers about encroachment near a temple. They said that there was no encroachment around the temple, which was built by their family long before they left the area in 2006. The Rastogi family also said that when the administration requested the temple keys, they willingly handed them over, assuring there was no fear or conflict involving Muslims or anyone else.
Dharmendra Rastogi, a key figure in the family, said that the temple had remained open and functional until 2006. He stated, “The keys to the temple were always with the Rastogi family, and there was no fear of Muslims or anyone. The temple was as it was, and there was no encroachment.” He further said that the room next to the temple, which some reports have mentioned, was also built by their family long before they left the area in 2006.
Dharmendra’s son echoed his father’s statement, saying, “There was never any fear from local Muslims. The temple was well-maintained, and there was never any encroachment. The room next to the temple was built by us as a godown, and we handed over the keys to the police when they asked for them.”
Local resident Pradeep Verma added, “The Rastogi family stayed in the same lane until 1993, and when they occasionally visited after that, they would regularly perform puja. The keys were always with them.” He further said that no one in the area ever felt threatened.
Mohammed Salman, another neighbour, shared similar sentiments, saying, “The keys to the temple were with Mohan Rastogi, and local Muslims often helped maintain the temple by painting the exteriors. The room next to the temple was built by the Rastogi family.”
Shariq, a resident from the same lane, criticized the ongoing media reports, calling them “fake news.” He said, “Everyone in the locality knew this was a temple. There was no encroachment, and no one left out of fear. It was always a peaceful area.”
Mohammed Shuaib, another local, added, “People started leaving the locality between 1998 and 2006 due to personal reasons, not because of any communal tension or riots as some have claimed. Pandit Ji’s son Bhola Kishan, Udit Rastogi, and others were all friends who played together.”
