Tensions have escalated in the northern Indian city of Sambhal, following violent clashes related to a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 16th-century mosque. Four people died and many others were injured in the unrest, which erupted after a local court ordered the survey in response to a petition alleging the mosque was built on the site of a destroyed Hindu temple.
Protesters clashed with police, throwing stones and setting vehicles on fire, while authorities responded with tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse the crowds. The incident is part of a broader controversy involving claims from Hindu groups that some mosques were built over demolished temples by Mughal rulers. The violence has sparked political accusations, with opposition leaders accusing the state government of exacerbating the situation for political gain. The conflict has drawn criticism from religious leaders, with calls for peaceful resolutions in the face of ongoing tensions over religious sites.