MP Barq had also made a controversial speech ahead of the first survey on November 19, 2024, stating that the Shahi Jama Masjid had stood for centuries and would remain “till the Day of Judgement.” “I don’t accept the court order. We weren’t even heard. Why such hurry to survey?” he had said.He further criticised the deployment of heavy police force around the mosque during Friday prayers, stating, “This is not a war. People just came to pray. Some people want to disturb the peace. We will fight a legal battle. We are owners of this country, not slaves.”The controversy began when a local court in Sambhal ordered the survey while hearing a petition filed by Mahant Rishi Raj Giri Maharaj of Kailadevi Temple, who claimed that the mosque was built over the Harihar Temple in 1529 by Muslim rulers. He filed the plea in civil court on November 19, 2024, at 1:30 pm, and within two and a half hours, Civil Judge Aditya Singh ordered the survey.The Advocate Commissioner, along with district officials including the DM and SP, visited the site at 6.15 pm the same day and completed the inspection by 7.45 pm. Another round of survey was conducted on November 21.However, when officials returned for a third survey on November 24, a crowd of 2,000–3,000 people had gathered near the mosque. When police tried to disperse them, the crowd pelted stones at the survey team and security forces, triggering widespread violence. Gunfire from the mob left five people dead.According to the police, the crowd was allegedly provoked by claims that the mosque was a 500-year-old symbol of Babur and needed to be protected. The original petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain.Since the violence, police have arrested 80 more individuals, including three women. While one woman was released due to lack of evidence, the others remain in custody. Judge Narayan Rai has so far rejected 130 bail pleas related to the case.
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