The three-member judicial commission investigating the communal violence that erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh on November 24, 2024, submitted its detailed 450-page report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday (August 28).
The commission, comprising retired Allahabad High Court Justice Devendra Kumar Arora, former IAS officer Amit Mohan, and former IPS officer Arvind Kumar Jain, claimed the document is independent, neutral, and fact-based. The report sheds light not only on the background and causes of the riot, but also on Sambhal’s demographic changes, its disputed religious sites, and the covert presence of terror networks.
Demographic Transformation in Sambhal
The report highlights striking population changes. In 1947, the Sambhal municipality had 45% Hindus and 55% Muslims. Today, Muslims constitute nearly 85% of the population while Hindus have dropped to just 15–20%.
The report attributes this dramatic transformation to communal riots, migration, and decades of political appeasement.
Harihar Temple vs Shahi Jama Masjid Dispute Mentioned
The commission also discussed the long-standing Harihar Temple vs Shahi Jama Masjid dispute, claiming to have found historical evidence of the temple’s existence. The government has not yet reacted officially to this aspect of the report.
A History of Riots Since Independence
Sambhal has witnessed 15 major riots between 1947 and 2019. These occurred in 1947, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1962, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1990, 1992, 1995, 2001, and 2019.
The commission concluded that the November 24, 2024 riots were not spontaneous, but instead deliberately pre-planned and executed.
MP Barka’s Speech Sparked the Fire
According to the Report, on November 22, 2024, local MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barka delivered a highly inflammatory speech before the Friday congregational prayer. He declared: “We are the masters of this country, not servants… the mosque existed, exists, and will exist till eternity. They took away our mosque in Ayodhya, but this time we won’t let it happen.”
Converted Hindu Pathans opposed the remarks, leading to confrontation between Turk and Pathan groups. By November 24, this tension escalated into a full-scale riot.
The report holds MP Barka, MLA’s son Suhail Iqbal, and office bearers of the Jama Masjid Committee responsible for conspiring to trigger the violence.
Religious Shrines Targeted
The commission noted that rioters deliberately targeted religious sites under the cover of violence.
- 68 Hindu shrines and 19 sacred wells were taken over.
- Rioters also attempted to seize the Harihar Temple, reviving memories of Mughal-era demolitions.
In response, the Yogi government announced a restoration plan for the temples and wells, which was formally initiatedon May 30, 2025.
How the Conspiracy Was Executed
The report reveals that conspirators brought in external miscreants to intensify the violence. Rioters specifically plotted attacks on Hindu-majority neighbourhoods, but strict police deployment foiled the plan.
Nevertheless, crossfire between Pathan and Turk groups killed four people, though extensive damage to Hindu localities failed due to security action.
Curfews in Sambhal: A Troubled Past
Between 1936 and 2019, Sambhal experienced 73 days of curfew in total.
- 20 days in 1948,
- 30 days in 1978,
- 6 days during the 2019 CAA unrest.
In the 2024 riots, swift police crackdown prevented the violence from escalating further.
Terror Links and Illicit Arms
The commission identified Sambhal as a covert hub for Islamic terror outfits like Al-Qaeda and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. It highlighted the presence of illicit arms and narcotics gangs already active in the district.
The report also linked Sambhal to Maulana Asim alias Sana-ul-Haq, whom the United States has designated as a global terrorist.
Demographic Shift and Communal Politics
The report reiterates that Sambhal’s demographic balance has reversed since 1947, when Hindus accounted for 45%. Now, Hindus make up just 15%, while Muslims increased to 85%.
It blames repeated riots and political appeasement for encouraging Hindu migration and permanently altering the region’s social fabric.
Political Turmoil Ahead
The Yogi government will first present the commission’s findings before the Cabinet, followed by a formal tabling in the State Assembly.
Since the report directly names political leaders, religious administrators, and influential organizations as conspirators, observers expect it to create a massive political upheaval in both Uttar Pradesh and national politics.
The Sambhal Riot Report firmly establishes that the November 24, 2024, violence was no accident but a well-orchestrated conspiracy. It exposes the dangerous mix of communal politics, demographic engineering, and the penetration of global terror networks.
The commission has urged the state government to strengthen security agencies, intensify intelligence networks, and safeguard religious sites to prevent future unrest.
