Sambhal Mosque Demolished; Former SP Leader Demands Halt A mosque located on a graveyard in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished, sparking intense political and community backlash. The site, known as Masjid Mustafa Qadri, is registered with the Wakf Board and has been a central place of worship for the local Muslim community. The demolition has drawn criticism from local leaders, including Firuz Khan, a former Samajwadi Party (SP) district president and state assembly member, who accused authorities of acting without due process. Khan met with the District Magistrate (DM) to demand an immediate stop to the demolition, arguing that the structure holds historical and religious significance. Khan highlighted that the mosque, though old, is the only place of prayer in the village of Kaseraua, where it has served the community for decades. He emphasized that the demolition violates the rights of religious minorities and called for the protection of all places of worship, regardless of faith. "No temple, mosque, or dargah should be destroyed," he stated, adding that many religious sites in the state were established on graveyard or communal land after 1947, yet their existence is often contested. The administration defended the action, asserting that the demolition was carried out in compliance with a court order. DM Ankit Khandalwal confirmed that the process followed legal procedures, including hearings in both the subordinate and appellate courts. However, he noted that the opposing party failed to present any evidence during the judicial proceedings. "The government adhered to the legal framework, and the demolition was executed only after the judicial process was complete," Khandalwal said.#samajwadi_party #sambhal #district_magistrate #masjid_mustafa_qadri #firuz_khan
