Turning Sambhal into Bangladesh: Giriraj Singh Blames Opposition for Sambhal Violence

New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP MP Giriraj Singh has accused the opposition of orchestrating the violence that erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal during a court-ordered survey, calling it a "pre-planned strategy" akin to the Godhra incident.

Clashes broke out on Sunday between police personnel and a mob of unidentified individuals who gathered outside the Mughal-era Jama Masjid, leaving three dead and over 20 police personnel injured. A fourth person died on Monday, bringing the death toll to four.

The survey, ordered after a petition claimed that the mosque stood on a demolished temple site, had been underway since early morning when violence erupted around 9 am, with protesters allegedly pelting stones at police personnel and firing from nearby houses, leading to injuries among officers.

In a statement, Singh blamed the opposition for the violence, saying, "This incident happened because of opposition... They want to burn the country... turn Sambhal into Bangladesh." He added that it was not an attack on the survey team but on the constitution of India and democracy, stating, "Those who died got shot by the attackers, not the police. It is clear from the post-mortem..."

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the Sambhal incident was a riot orchestrated by the government. "From all the videos we have, we know it was a riot by the government," he said.

Police have lodged seven FIRs against SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq and local SP MLA Iqbal Mehmood's son Sohail Iqbal, naming them accused in connection with the violence. The situation has been brought under control, with internet services suspended, additional forces deployed, and prohibitory orders imposed to prevent further escalation.

The National Security Act (NSA) has been invoked against those involved in the violence, while the authorities continue to probe into the incident. Entry of outsiders into Sambhal has been barred till November 30, and efforts are on to identify those involved.

In a video statement later, SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq denied the allegations against him, stating, "The incident carried out by the police administration in Sambhal has shaken the entire humanity and has tarnished the image of the state and the country... I was not even present in the state, let alone Sambhal, I had gone to Bengaluru to attend a meeting."