Opposition leaders and civil rights activists have launched a sharp attack on Uttar Pradesh government officials over the continuing restrictions imposed around the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, accusing local administration of systematically targeting Muslim worshippers and failing to uphold constitutional rights.
Senior opposition figures did not mince words, stating unequivocally that officials who cannot enforce the rule of law impartially should resign immediately. “If the administration is selectively applying restrictions only against one community, then it has no moral or legal authority to hold public office,” one leader declared.
The controversy has intensified following multiple reports that Circle Officers (COs) in Sambhal have been stopping and questioning Muslim residents heading to mosques for Friday prayers — a practice critics describe as blatant religious profiling. Eyewitnesses allege that checkpoints were set up specifically to intercept worshippers, raising serious concerns about the misuse of administrative power.
Rights groups argue that while security measures in Sambhal have been deemed necessary by authorities following communal tensions in late 2024, targeting individuals solely on the basis of their religion during prayer hours crosses a clear constitutional red line. “Maintaining order and harassing devotees are two entirely different things,” said a legal expert tracking the situation.
The Uttar Pradesh government has yet to issue a formal response to the latest wave of criticism. Officials maintain that restrictions remain in place for broader security purposes.
However, opposition parties warn that selective enforcement not only violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Indian Constitution, but dangerously erodes public trust in state institutions.
“A government that kneels before bias and reigns over only certain citizens has forgotten its oath,” said one senior leader. “Resign, or restore the rule of law — there is no third option.”
