FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. (November 25, 2024) – Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) strongly condemns the killing of five Muslim protesters by police in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The protesters were opposing the controversial survey of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid, initiated amidst rising tensions fueled by Hindutva groups chanting provocative slogans.
The victims were shot and killed during clashes sparked by the survey. Family members allege that the deaths resulted from police firing, a claim partially corroborated by the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner, who acknowledged that three victims sustained fatal bullet injuries. The brutal incident has left the community in grief and outrage.
“The escalation of violence in Sambhal underscores the increasingly dangerous climate for India’s Muslims under the BJP-led government,” said Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director of Hindus for Human Rights. “From unconstitutional mosque surveys to lethal police responses, the systematic targeting of Muslims reflects a chilling agenda of communal division and intimidation. These deaths demand accountability, justice, and an immediate end to the cycle of state-sponsored violence.”
The clashes erupted as locals resisted a second court-ordered survey of the mosque, reportedly conducted in the presence of Hindutva activists chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” Videos circulating online show survey teams aligned with these groups, amplifying fears of provocation and bias. Internet services in the area have been suspended, prohibitory orders have been imposed, and schools have been closed, isolating the region and suppressing dissent.
Ria Chakrabarty, Senior Policy Director of Hindus for Human Rights, highlighted the need for global attention: “The deaths in Sambhal are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of state-backed repression against India’s Muslims. The court-sanctioned actions that sparked this violence, coupled with the administration’s heavy-handed response, underscore how justice is being eroded under a government that prioritizes divisive politics over constitutional values. The international community must act before further lives are lost.”
The Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century Mughal-era mosque, has been the subject of Hindutva allegations claiming it was built on the site of a demolished Hindu temple. These claims, often rooted in manufactured narratives, have led to heightened communal tensions. The mosque's survey was initiated after a petition by Hindutva activists and carried out under the supervision of local officials, raising concerns about the weaponization of legal processes to harass minority communities.
Political leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have condemned the violence, attributing it to the BJP’s communal politics. Gandhi called the killings an “unfortunate result of the state government’s bias and insensitivity.” Yadav urged the Supreme Court to intervene and halt the use of surveys to foment tension.
HfHR calls on civil society, human rights organizations, and the global community to:
- Demand an independent investigation into the killings.
- Advocate for the protection of India’s minorities and the preservation of constitutional secularism.
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Hold the Uttar Pradesh government accountable for enabling violence against Muslims.
“These five lives lost represent more than a failure of law and order—they signify the ongoing erosion of justice and humanity in India,” added Viswanath. “As Hindus, we must stand against this oppression and reaffirm our commitment to the pluralistic, inclusive values that define true dharma.”
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Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 2019. We advocate for pluralism and civil and human rights in South Asia. North America, the UK, Australia and worldwide, rooted in the values of our Hindu faith: shanti (peace), nyaya (justice) and satya (truth). We work with a broad coalition of partners to educate elected officials and the public about civil and human rights issues in South Asia.
Please direct all media inquiries to:
david@hindusforhumanrights.org, David Dasharath Kalal, Director of Communications for HfHR
