Sanatan Prabhat > Post Type > News > National News > Temple closed for 46 years found in a Muslim-majority area in Sambhal (UP)

Temple closed for 46 years found in a Muslim-majority area in Sambhal (UP)

  • The temple belonged to Hindus who fled the area after the riots in 1978

  • Action taken by the administration and Police against encroachment and electricity theft

  • Electricity was being used illegally in several mosques

Sambhal (UP) – The District administration launched a major crackdown against encroachment and electricity theft in the Shahi Jama Masjid area here on the morning of 14th December. During the operation, a Shiva temple that had been closed for 46 years was discovered in the Mahmood Khan Sarai area. The temple contained a Shivalinga along with idols of Deity Hanuman and Shri Kartikeya. The administration and Police reopened the temple. This temple had been closed during the 1978 Hindu-Muslim riots. Following the riots, 20 to 25 Hindu families fled the area, and the temple, which belonged to one of these families, was sold and remained closed ever since. The temple is located just a short distance from the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq. (Despite this, he did nothing for the preservation of the temple, exposing the mentality of the Samajwadi Party and, specifically, Muslim MPs – Editor) Under the supervision of District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya and Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Bishnoi, the temple was cleaned, and efforts are underway to uncover a well concealed by construction. Efforts are being made to trace the house’s owner. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been directed to conduct carbon dating of the temple to determine its age.

1. During the crackdown, over 300 houses were found to have been stealing electricity, including several mosques. In one mosque, 59 fans, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and 25 to 30 light points (electrical outlets) were found to be powered through theft.

2. Executive Engineer of the Electricity Department, Naveen Gautam, stated that action is being taken against the culprits. To ensure the safety of the Electricity Department teams, two Police contingents were deployed in the area.

3. District Magistrate noted that Sambhal is notorious for being the hub of electricity theft, with losses amounting to crores of rupees each month. This prompted the early-morning crackdown, which also included the removal of encroachments. The locked temple, hidden due to encroachments, was discovered during this operation.

4. Additional Superintendent of Police Shrish Chandra warned that encroachments on any religious site or public property will not be tolerated. Strict legal action will be taken against encroachers.

Fear prevented priests from performing Puja

Nagar Hindu Sabha patron Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, stated, “We lived in the Khaggu Sarai area. After 1978, we sold our house. Deity Shiva’s temple was here, but we could not take care of it. No priest dared to stay at this place. (Hindus are afraid to live in Muslim-majority areas, while Muslims assert dominance in Hindu-majority areas – Editor) Since then the temple was closed and today it is reopened. Due to Police it was reopened.”

Editorial Perspectives

  • In India, Hindus are forced to flee within their own country due to atrocities by religious fanatical Muslims, leading to Muslims taking control of their temples. Political parties like the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Congress, etc., which claim to uphold secularism, do not open their mouths on such issues.
  • Similarly, centuries ago, Muslim invaders took control of the Shri Harihar Temple in this area and converted it into the Shahi Jama Masjid.
  • This electricity theft also shows who is ahead in crime in the country. This raises the question of whether those claiming that ‘Muslims have the first right over the resources of the nation’ allowed them to misuse resources in this way ?

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