New Delhi: A day after three Muslim youths were killed in police firing during a protest against a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi submitted an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha on Monday, calling for a discussion on the killing and the violence.
In his letter to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, Owaisi stated, “I hereby give notice of my intention to seek leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the killing of three youths in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on November 24 due to police firing.”
Owaisi said that the victims were exercising their constitutional right to assemble and protest under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. He urged Parliament to address the urgent issue, highlighting the misuse of police powers against citizens.
Three Muslims, identified as Noman, Naeem, 28, and Mohd Bilal Ansari, 25, were killed in Sambhal on Sunday when Uttar Pradesh Police opened fire on locals protesting a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid. The deaths were confirmed by CO Anuj Chaudhary, according to multiple news reports.
The clashes began when a court-appointed team entered the mosque for a second survey around 7 am, accompanied by members of a Hindutva group. A video from the incident allegedly shows the survey team and the group chanting slogans.
The survey stems from a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, alleging that the historic 16th-century mosque was built after demolishing a temple during the Mughal era. Hindutva groups accompanied the survey team, which was overseen by Advocate Commissioner Ramesh Raghav, the District Magistrate, and the Superintendent of Police.
The mosque, built under the direction of Emperor Babar, is recognised as a historic monument on the Sambhal district’s official website. The first survey was conducted on November 19.
