Temple or Mosque? The Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Controversy
The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has become the latest flashpoint in India’s ongoing temple-mosque debates. Amid claims that the mosque was built over the historic Harihar Temple, questions about the Places of Worship Act and its enforcement have come to the forefront. But why do these disputes keep arising, and who gains from them?
What Sparked the Controversy?
The dispute began with a petition filed in November 2024, claiming that the Shahi Jama Masjid was originally a temple dedicated to Lord Kalki. The court promptly ordered a survey of the mosque, allegedly without informing the mosque committee. Rumors of excavation spread, triggering violent clashes between locals and police. The violence left at least five people dead, highlighting a recurring pattern in such incidents.
What is the Places of Worship Act?
The Places of Worship Act, 1991, prohibits the conversion of any religious site as it existed on August 15, 1947. This law was enacted to maintain communal harmony amid the Ram Temple movement. However, loopholes and conflicting interpretations have led to repeated challenges.
The law allows investigations into the historical nature of a site, but critics argue that such surveys fuel unrest without offering constructive outcomes. If no changes can be made to a religious site, what purpose do these investigations serve?
A Historical Perspective: Is This New?
The debate isn’t limited to mosques. Claims have also been made about Hindu temples built over Buddhist sites. For instance, the Rameshwar Dham and Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple have been contested, with tribal groups alleging historical injustices.
In 2018, PK Sajeev of the Aikya Mala Araya Mahasabha stated, “The government must return the temple to us and correct historical mistakes. It’s time to atone for past atrocities.”
These claims reveal the complex layers of history and faith, raising uncomfortable questions about how we preserve and interpret our heritage.
Even leaders within the Hindutva movement have expressed caution about the growing number of such disputes. In 2022, during a speech in Nagpur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said
It’s okay, we have symbolic faith for certain places, but bringing up a new issue daily isn't necessary. Why escalate conflicts? We hold faith in Gyanvapi because of our traditions, but why look for a Shivling in every temple? That too is a form of worship, even if it came from outside. Those who adopted it are no longer outsiders, and this must be understood.Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief
Despite such remarks advocating restraint, the campaigns to find temples beneath mosques have continued unabated. What do these actions signify in the larger socio-political context?
Recurring Patterns in Violence
Protests over religious sites often escalate into violence. Police responses typically blame "unidentified shooters" within the crowd. But two pressing questions remain:
Why are these incidents so common during protests involving a specific community?
Why hasn’t the police developed strategies to prevent such violence?