AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday criticized the construction of a police post near Jama Masjid in Sambhal, accusing the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of promoting a “communal mindset” by fostering suspicion and increased surveillance in Muslim-majority areas through CCTV cameras and police outposts.
Speaking to ANI, Owaisi questioned the government’s priorities, highlighting the lack of basic amenities such as education and healthcare in the region. He stated, “There are empirical studies which have been done which clearly show that the governments have never ensured that where you have a higher number of Muslims living in that place or locality or area, the government have failed to provide public services. For example, hospitals, schools, colleges.”
Owaisi referred to a recent study conducted by Paul Lovosad of Dartmouth College, MIT, to underline the discrimination faced by Muslim communities, particularly under the BJP government. He noted, “Now, a recent study has been done by Paul Lovosad of Dartmouth College, MIT, which clearly shows the amount of discrimination the governments have shown, especially the BJP government in not providing public services.”
The AIMIM leader also expressed concern over social issues affecting the Muslim community, including high dropout rates among Muslim women, low literacy levels, and the limited number of graduates. He remarked, “If you have the wherewithal to construct a police outpost right opposite the Sambhal historical masjid, why can’t you construct schools, colleges and hospitals in Sambhal? It is a known fact that the dropout rate is the highest among Muslim women. It is a known fact that low literacy rates prevail among the Muslims. It is a known fact that you have the lowest number of graduates in the Muslim community.”
He further criticized the government’s approach, emphasizing the need to address medical issues and improve public services rather than creating an atmosphere of distrust. He added, “There are various medical issues. So why isn’t the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh interested in solving these problems so that they claim that they want a Viksit Bharat, then why don’t you provide all these services, but have a communal mindset and you are strengthening that communal mindset by creating a suspicion that these Muslim areas have to be monitored by CCTV by police outposts…This creation of police check posts is nothing but strengthening suspicion among Muslims, creating a hate atmosphere. That is what the BJP government is doing in Uttar Pradesh which I condemn.”
Meanwhile, construction of the police post is underway on vacant land near Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed at the site to ensure security.
Sambhal Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra commented on the urgency of the project, explaining that it aims to provide better accommodation for the security forces currently stationed outdoors. “The construction of the post is currently in progress. It will be established as soon as possible so that the force staying here can stay comfortably,” ASP Chandra told ANI.
He further noted the challenges faced by the personnel, saying, “The construction of the post is being expedited due to the urgent need for accommodation, as a large number of forces are currently living outdoors in the cold. Since there are no nearby facilities, the work is being completed at a fast pace. The post will be ready in a few days.”
This development follows recent violence in the area during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of a Mughal-era mosque last month, which resulted in four deaths and injuries among both police and locals.
