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In a deeply concerning incident that has heightened communal tensions, a Hindu organisation vandalised a historic tomb in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district on Monday, claiming the medieval structure was built over an ancient temple site.
The group's actions have led to a significant deployment of police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) forces throughout the area, with security barricades established around the disputed location.
Speaking to the media, Fatehpur District Co-convenor of Bajrang Dal, Dharmendra Singh, said, "We will offer prayers here at noon. The Administration will not be able to stop us. In the Hindu religion, no one can take away our right to offer prayers. It is our temple, which they are referring to as a tomb..."
The disturbance began with claims made by BJP district president Mukhlal Pal, who asserted that the structure, officially recorded as the tomb of Nawab Abdus Samad, is in fact an ancient temple that has been altered over time.
Pal cited the presence of lotus motifs and trident symbols within the tomb as evidence for his assertion. He declared that the Hindu community would not tolerate the alleged conversion of their temple into a mosque and announced plans to conduct prayer ceremonies at the site, disregarding any administrative objections. He further called for followers to gather for a coordinated march and worship session.
Virendra Pandey of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) echoed these sentiments, identifying the site as a temple dedicated to Lord Bholenath and Shri Krishna. He pointed to religious symbols, a circumambulation path, and a temple well as supporting evidence, expressing a desire to cleanse the premises for upcoming Janmashtami celebrations on August 16. Pandey criticised the administration for not taking their concerns seriously despite prior notification.
In response to the incident and the planned August 11 program, National Ulama Council's National Secretary Mo Naseem strongly condemned the vandalism, characterising it as an attempt to distort historical records and disrupt communal harmony.
He emphasised that the location contains centuries-old graves and is properly documented in government files, questioning the precedent set by such claims. Naseem warned that his organisation would initiate protests if authorities failed to prevent the planned activities.
District administration officials have implemented stringent security measures to manage the volatile situation. Junior Engineer Avinash Pandey from Nagar Palika Parishad confirmed that barricading operations were conducted under direct orders from the District Officer to prevent unauthorised access to the disputed area. Police forces are actively patrolling the vicinity, and officials are closely monitoring developments to de-escalate tensions and prevent further escalation. The administration maintains that the land remains officially registered as a national property tomb according to government documentation.
