Sambhal- Four people were killed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday during violence that erupted following a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the Samajwadi Party (SP), who allege the BJP-led state government deliberately instigated the violence for political gain.

Clashes between locals and police occurred during the survey, prompting authorities to impose strict security measures. Schools and colleges have been shut down, internet services suspended, and prohibitory orders enforced. Deserted roads marked the violence-hit city.

Police have registered cases against prominent SP figures, including SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, SP legislator Iqbal Mehmood's son Nawab Suhail Iqbal, and 400 others in connection with the violence.

SP leaders have been quick to denounce the incident and accuse the BJP government of orchestrating the unrest to divert attention from electoral issues. SP MP Awadhesh Prasad expressed his condolences, calling the event "heartbreaking and painful," and directly blamed the BJP for provoking the violence to suppress dissent. He linked the incident to recent by-poll results, stating, "The elections in Uttar Pradesh were a contest between democracy and dictatorship. The BJP orchestrated this incident in Sambhal to suppress voices of dissent." He also defended arrested SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, claiming Barq was absent during the violence. "The MP was with us at the time. This is a baseless case aimed at silencing him in Parliament," Prasad said.

SP MP Afzal Ansari echoed these sentiments, calling the violence a "well-planned provocation" and accusing the government of falsely implicating innocent people.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav previously accused the state government of deliberately sending the survey team at a time intended to disrupt public discourse on electoral issues. He called the move a "calculated move to create chaos and ensure no debate on election matters."

Congress leaders echoed the SP's condemnation of the violence and blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for the rising incidents of violence in the state. Critics faulted the administration for failing to maintain peace.

The Uttar Pradesh government has promised strict action against those responsible for the violence and assured the public that efforts are underway to restore normalcy and bring the perpetrators to justice.