The 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, have resurfaced in public discourse after a 1993 government order to withdraw eight out of 16 riot-related cases emerged on social media. This order, issued by the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led government at the time, has ignited widespread outrage. Victims of the riots have accused the then-government of denying them justice through this decision.
1993 Mulayam Singh govt order to withdraw half of the 1978 Sambhal violence cases spark outrage, Yogi government may reopen the cases (Dall-E/Republic TV)
Controversial Order Details
The order in question, signed by the then-special secretary RD Shukla, was directed to the Muradabad District Collector. It conveyed the decision of the government under Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw eight cases related to the communal violence that occurred on March 30, 1978. Initially, 16 cases had been filed by the police after the riots. The victims contended that the withdrawal of these cases not only undermined justice but also eliminated their opportunity to hold the offenders accountable.
Accusations Against Political Leaders
There are claims that the cases were dropped due to the influence of senior political figures, including Azam Khan and former Sambhal MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq. Victims have stated that political interference in these cases benefitted the accused while disregarding the suffering of the Hindu community during the riots.
One of the victims, Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, recounted in a statement that the violence erupted on the morning of March 29, 1978. Hindus were subjected to widespread killings, arson, and the destruction of businesses. Many Hindu families were compelled to flee the area. Another victim, Nitish Garg, mentioned that his family’s shop was set ablaze, forcing them to migrate in search of safety.
Investigation of Riot Files
In response to the public outcry, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has instructed the Muradabad district administration to reopen the case files. Media reports indicate that 10 files related to the riots have been found so far. These records are under review to determine if there were any shortcomings in the investigation. It is reported that several cases were closed without properly recording victim statements or conducting comprehensive investigations.
The records of the 1978 riots are available until 1993, but officials claim that documentation for the cases after that period is missing. The administration has promised to conduct a new inquiry into all the cases in order to address the longstanding concerns of the victims.
Earlier this month, the Yogi government decided to reopen the cases of the Sambhal violence following a statement made by the Chief Minister in the state Assembly. CM Yogi highlighted, “In 1978, 184 Hindus were collectively burned alive, and a curfew was imposed for several months. Riots happened again in 1980-1982, leading to one death each year. In 1986, four people were killed, followed by five deaths between 1990-1992, and two in 1996. This pattern of violence continued.” The Chief Minister, while mocking the opposition, remarked, “Since 1947, 209 Hindus have been murdered in Sambhal, yet not a single word has been spoken in support of the innocent victims. Those shedding crocodile tears never said even two words for them.” He further remarked, “The Bajrang Bali temple in Sambhal, which is being uncovered today, was not allowed to open by these people since 1978.”
The Devastating Riots of 1978
Sambhal has a history marked by frequent riots. Over time, these unrests have served as a method for the Muslim community to displace Hindus from the Sambhal municipal area. In 1947, when India gained independence, Hindus constituted 45% of the area's population, with Muslims making up 55%. However, the Hindu population has steadily declined to around 15-20%, while Muslims now represent 80-85% of the population.
A Hindu teacher's daughter was raped, and his wife abducted
According to media reports, the riots, which began after Holi celebrations on March 29, 1978, resulted in the deaths of 184 people and prompted a month-long curfew in the area. During these riots, Banwari Lal Goyal, a well-known businessman from Sambhal, was brutally murdered. Additionally, Manzar Shafi, who played a central role in inciting violence against Hindus, abducted and violently raped the wife and daughter of a Hindu teacher. The teacher's wife was eventually rescued by Hindus. In the aftermath of the riots, the families of Banwari Lal Goyal and the Hindu teacher fled Sambhal.
24 Hindus Burnt Alive with Tyres and Sugarcane Husk
When the riots erupted, Banwari Lal urged several Hindu shopkeepers to seek refuge at his brother-in-law Murari Lal’s house. However, Muslim traders alerted the rioters. A mob of Islamist rioters subsequently used a tractor to break down the gates of Murari Lal’s house and mercilessly murdered 24 Hindus. They stacked sugarcane husks and tyres around the bodies and set them ablaze. The situation was so dire that many Hindus were forced to conduct symbolic cremations of their loved ones with effigies at Brijghat.
Banwari Lal Pleads for Execution but is Brutally Hacked to Death
As per an internal report obtained by OpIndia, Banwari Lal proceeded to the riot-affected area despite cautions from his wife and son. He told them, “All Muslims are like my friends and brothers. Everyone works with me. Nothing will happen to me,” before heading to the area. When he arrived at the location, Muslim rioters captured him. They proceeded to amputate his legs, taunting him with claims that he had come to collect money using his hands. They then cut off his arms and finally slit his throat.
Throughout the ordeal, Banwari Lal begged the rioters to shoot him instead, but his pleas were ignored. The brutal scene was witnessed by Hardwari Lal Sharma and Subhash Chandra Rastogi, who managed to escape by hiding inside a drum. During the violence, Hardwari Lal’s brother, a high school student, was also murdered by the rioters.
In 1995, Banwari Lal Goyal's family permanently left Sambhal. According to an internal report, Banwari Lal’s family faced pressure from Dr. Shafiqur Rahman Barq, a former Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal. His son, Zia-ur Rahman Barq, is currently the MP from Sambhal and has been implicated in a case related to the violence that occurred in Sambhal on November 24, 2024, during the Jama Masjid survey.
Commentaires