209 Hindus killed in Sambhal since '47, claims Yogi in House

LUCKNOW: A court-ordered survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal town last month was peaceful until speeches given during Friday prayers, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday in a controversial speech that also alleged that 209 Hindus were killed in the area since Independence but opposition parties never spoke in favour of the victims.

- HT Correspondent

Speaking in the assembly after the Samajwadi Party and the Congress sought a discussion on the violence that erupted on November 24 during protests against the survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid, Adityanath also asked why problems arise when a Hindu procession passes through a Muslim-majority area.

Adityanath said on instructions of the court, the district magistrate and superintendent of police conducted the survey -- ordered in a case where Hindu petitioners alleged a temple was razed to build the Shahi Jama Masjid -- in a peaceful manner.

"The survey work was going on in Sambhal on November 19, November 21 and November 24. There was no disturbance of peace during the first two days during the survey. The atmosphere deteriorated after the kind of speeches given during the Friday prayers. The situation after that is in front of everyone," Adityanath said.

He alleged that Baburnama said that the mosque was built by demolishing the Harihar temple. "The Purana also says that the tenth incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu will be in Sambhal," the CM said.

"A judicial commission has been formed in the Sambhal incident. Its members are visiting regularly. They will take statements from people, listen to everyone and bring out the truth, but unnecessary stone pelting and firing from illegal weapons will not restore peace there," he said.

Four people were killed after violence erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during protests against the survey.

"The Opposition is misleading the public by concealing the facts. A survey was conducted in Sambhal on court orders," he said.