Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s chief cleric has strongly condemned the deaths of four youth in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.
The violence, which erupted amidst clashes between locals and the police, has sparked widespread outrage and sharp political reactions across India.
In a statement, the Mirwaiz described the incident as “distressing and discriminatory,” criticizing the government for its failure to protect minority communities. “The life of minorities has become dispensable, a pawn in the pursuit of electoral gains,” he stated. He also denounced the rising trend of questioning the status of historical mosques, calling it a divisive tactic aimed at polarizing communities.
The violence occurred on Sunday during a survey of the Mughal-era mosque, initiated by a local court following claims that a Harihar temple once stood at the site.
Tensions had been escalating since November 19, when the survey was first conducted.
According to reports, protesters clashed with security personnel, leading to the deaths of three individuals on the spot, with a fourth succumbing to injuries on Monday.
Several others, including police officers and administrative officials, sustained injuries in the unrest, which saw vehicles torched, stone-pelting incidents, and heavy police deployment.