Sambhal Violence: Judicial Probe Finds Hindu Population Dropped From 45 Per Cent To 15 Per Cent Since Independence, Says Report

A judicial investigation into the Sambhal violence has revealed a startling demographic transformation that has unfolded over seven decades in this western Uttar Pradesh district, Jagran reported.

Citing the 450-page report submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Jagran reported that Sambhal has witnessed one of the most dramatic religious demographic shifts in post-independence India.

In 1947, Hindus constituted 45 per cent of the population in the Sambhal municipal area, while Muslims made up 55 per cent.

Today, these figures have changed dramatially – Hindus now represent merely 15-20 per cent of the population, while the Muslim community has grown to around 85 per cent.

Adding to the complexity, the report claims archaeological evidence from the Babri period has been found in the foundation of the Harihar temple.

This discovery could potentially reignite historical disputes similar to those seen in Ayodhya.

The judicial commission, headed by retired High Court Judge Devendra Arora, identified several factors contributing to this demographic transformation including planned riots, appeasement policies of erstwhile governments, and and an atmosphere of fear.

This demographic shift has coincided with increased communal tensions and recurring violence in the region.

The November 2024 violence, which prompted this investigation, occurred during a mosque survey and resulted in four deaths.

The report suggests that Sambhal has become a hub for extremist organisations, with evidence of foreign weapons, including from US, being used in recent violence.

The state government is expected to present this report to the cabinet before tabling it in the legislative assembly, potentially leading to policy interventions addressing these demographic and security concerns.

Highlights from the Report:

The report states that evidence from the Babri period has been found at the Harihar temple.

Traces of the Babri-era structures have been discovered in the temple’s foundation.

The report highlights a major demographic shift.

In 1947, Hindus made up 45 per cent of Sambhal’s municipal area population, while Muslims were 55 per cent.

Today, the Hindu share has dropped to just 15 per cent, while the Muslim population has risen to 85 per cent.

The transformation is attributed to appeasement policies, planned riots, and an atmosphere of fear.

The report details a full sequence of riots.

Between 1947 and 2019, it documents 15 major communal clashes.

In most of these, the Hindu community suffered the greatest losses.

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