Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, August 6, 2025 – Sambhal is making headlines again, but not for the right reasons. On Tuesday, police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 50 to 60 people, including Zafar Ali, the head of the Shahi Jama Masjid Management Committee, for holding an unauthorized “victory march.” The procession, which took place after Ali’s release from jail on August 1, has stirred up fresh trouble in a town still reeling from last year’s violence.
The march was a celebration of Ali’s release, who was jailed in connection with violent clashes in November 2024 over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. That survey, prompted by claims that the mosque was built on a demolished Hindu temple, left five dead and dozens injured, including 20 police officers. The FIR, lodged at Sambhal Kotwali police station by Sub-Inspector Ashish Tomar, accuses Ali, along with named individuals Sarfaraz, Tahir, Haider, and 50-60 unidentified supporters, of violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. They allegedly took out a 42-kilometer road show without permission, causing a public disturbance.
The 2024 violence was a messy affair, with stone-pelting, arson, and gunfire erupting during the mosque survey. The police arrested 41 suspects, including two women, and named Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and MLA Iqbal Mehmood’s son Suhail Iqbal in related FIRs, accusing them of inciting the chaos. Political parties traded blame, with the Samajwadi Party calling it a government-orchestrated riot, while the BJP pointed fingers at opposition leaders for stirring unrest. A judicial inquiry is still digging into whether the violence was planned or spontaneous.
This whole saga feels like a soap opera that won’t end. Sambhal’s stuck in a cycle of protests, clashes, and now this unauthorized parade. The authorities are trying to clamp down, but with political heavyweights and community leaders involved, it’s anyone’s guess how this will play out.
