"Judicial commission headed by sitting judge of Supreme Court should be formed": SP MP Zia Ur Rehman on Sambhal violence

New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Tuesday called for a judicial commission, headed by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to uncover the truth behind the Sambhal violence and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Speaking to ANI, Barq stated, "This issue is bigger than the Adani controversy because it directly concerns the public. People have been oppressed, killed, and their rights violated, making it a significant issue. Today, Akhilesh Yadav raised this matter, and we demand the formation of a judicial commission, led by a sitting Supreme Court judge, to ascertain the truth and take action against the culprits."
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav also addressed the media, claiming that the situation in Lucknow was beginning to mirror events in Delhi.
"The Samajwadi Party will not allow such actions to continue. Innocent people have been framed because the government orchestrated this situation. The focus on the violence diverts attention from the vote tampering during the by-elections. In Sambhal, officers prevented people from voting and later instigated these incidents. These officers are closely aligned with the government, and this injustice was deliberately carried out by the BJP in collaboration with them," Yadav alleged.
SP MP Iqra Hasan emphasised the urgency of addressing the Sambhal violence.
"Five people have lost their lives, and the situation is critical. While the Adani issue is significant for the economy, the loss of lives should take precedence. The administration must act impartially and not under any governmental influence. Strict action should be taken against those responsible for inciting violence," she said.
She further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating, "The BJP is leading the country towards destruction. If we continue to focus on such divisive issues, the country will not progress. We demand strict action against the perpetrators of the Sambhal violence, whether they are officers or others."
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand highlighted the importance of adhering to the 1991 Places of Worship Act.
"BJP and its affiliated organisations disregard the Constitution and aim to disrupt communal harmony. The Sambhal incident must be investigated under the supervision of the High Court," Chand said.
JMM Rajya Sabha MP Sarfaraz Ahmad described the violence as "pre-planned."
"A petition was filed, and within two hours, everything was executed, including a survey. The other party was not even given an opportunity to respond. This appears to have been pre-planned. The Indian government must address these issues," Ahmad said.
The violence in Sambhal district erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of a Mughal-era mosque. Clashes resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including police personnel and locals.
The ASI survey followed a petition filed in a local court, claiming that the mosque's site was originally a Harihar temple.
On November 27, the Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, confirmed the arrest of 27 individuals in connection with the Sambhal violence. (ANI)