Sambhal DM’s Call Leads to Cancellation of 22 km Procession to Jama Masjid

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Sambhal: A planned 22-kilometer religious procession in Sambhal district, linked to the Kailadevi Temple and Jama Masjid-Harihar Temple dispute, was called off following intervention by the district administration. The announcement came after Mahant Rishiraj Giri Maharaj had declared the procession to mark the anniversary of a civil court petition regarding the historic status of the Jama Masjid.

DM Intervenes to Maintain Law and Order

On Wednesday, DM Rajendra Paisiya personally spoke to Mahant Rishiraj over the phone, requesting that the procession be limited to the temple premises rather than extending across the city. He emphasized the importance of supporting the administration in maintaining law and order. Following the conversation, the Mahant agreed to restrict the procession to a 1-kilometer route around Kailadevi Temple, canceling the longer 22 km march.

High Alert Security Measures

Before the DM’s intervention, a large crowd had gathered at the temple for the procession. Police had installed barricades, which Mahant Rishiraj and his supporters tried to remove, leading to tense moments. The district administration deployed RAF, PAC personnel, and police from eight stations, with over 400 CCTV cameras and drones monitoring the situation.

Background of the Dispute

The issue traces back to a civil court petition filed on November 19, 2024, claiming that the original structure of the Jama Masjid was the Harihar Temple. The court had appointed Commissioner Ramesh Singh Raghav to survey the site. During a subsequent survey on November 24, a violent clash occurred, resulting in five deaths and 29 police personnel injured.

The procession had been planned to assert claims over the disputed site, drawing attention from multiple parties, including Supreme Court advocates Harishankar Jain and Parth Yadav, along with Mahant Rishiraj and other petitioners.

Administration Ensures Peace

The district administration acted proactively, ensuring that the procession remained within the temple area, preventing potential clashes. The Jama Masjid Committee had stated that traditional processions around the mosque were not customary, and SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi reminded that gathering crowds or taking out marches under Section 163 could be deemed illegal.