Lucknow, August 28 — A judicial committee appointed to investigate communal violence in Sambhal district has submitted a comprehensive report to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting a significant demographic shift in the region over the past seven decades. The report claims that the Hindu population in Sambhal has declined from approximately 45% at the time of Independence to just 15–20% today.
The 450-page report, compiled by a three-member panel led by retired High Court judge Devendra Kumar Arora and former IPS officers AK Jain and Amit Prasad, attributes the demographic change to recurring communal unrest, political appeasement, and targeted violence against Hindus. The committee documented 15 major riots in Sambhal since 1947, including incidents in 1948, 1953, 1958, 1962, 1976, 1980, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2001, and 2019.
The most recent violence occurred in November 2024, following a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid amid claims that a temple once stood at the site. Tensions escalated after remarks by Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, which allegedly incited protests and clashes between Turk and Pathan communities. The violence resulted in multiple injuries, arson, and four reported deaths.
The panel’s findings suggest that rioters were allegedly brought in from outside to intensify the unrest, and that Hindu-majority areas were specifically targeted. However, timely police deployment reportedly prevented large-scale casualties.
In addition to demographic concerns, the report flagged the presence of illegal arms networks and alleged links to terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen operating in the region. It also cited a growing nexus between communal elements and narcotics trafficking.
The report has not yet been made public, but its submission to the Chief Minister signals potential policy and security responses in the coming weeks. The findings are expected to fuel further debate on communal dynamics and governance in Uttar Pradesh.
