Pathak: Even Nehru admitted that Hindus suffered in Sambhal | Lucknow News
Lucknow: Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Saturday claimed that even Jawaharlal Nehru had acknowledged Hindu suffering in the Sambhal. Pathak was refereing to a report prepared by Nehru after visiting the western UP district in 1924 at Mahatma Gandhi’s request. Speaking to journalists at Lok Bhawan, the deputy CM pointed out the demolition of Harihar temple built by King Prithviraj Chauhan in Sambhal by Babur and construction of a mosque over it.He made it clear that his remarks were not based on the Sambhal inquiry report but on historical records and contemporary developments. Pathak said that communal riots in 1924 claimed the lives of several Hindu families in Sambhal. On Gandhi’s direction, Nehru visited the town between Sept 8 and 10, 1924, and submitted a 13-page report to him on Sept 12. “That report clearly mentioned that Hindus in Sambhal were always victims. Places of worship were desecrated, people were killed or injured, and even pushed into wells. Nehru also wrote that the Harihar temple was built by Prithviraj Chauhan and later turned into a mosque by Babur,” Pathak asserted.The deputy CM said scriptures describe Sambhal as the future birthplace of Lord Kalki, underscoring the town’s deep spiritual significance. He alleged that successive govts allowed demographic imbalance through appeasement politics, which forced Hindus, including marginalised communities like SCs and STs, to migrate. “After 2017, migration from Sambhal, Shamli, Kairana, and Muzaffarnagar completely stopped. People are returning to their homes. Our govt has acted against forced religious conversions and ‘love jihad’ within constitutional limits, ensuring strict punishments through courts,” he added.Pathak accused Congress and SP govts of appeasement. The Deputy CM listed a series of measures taken since 2017: 68 ancient religious sites and 19 historic wells freed from encroachment, 1,067 encroachments cleared, releasing 73 hectares of land, 37 illegal occupations on mosques, madrasas, mazars, and graveyards removed. Two new police stations and 45 outposts were established, with CCTV and drone surveillance in sensitive areas. Pathak reiterated that Yogi govt is committed to law and order, equitable development, and ending appeasement politics. “Our govt works on the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. No demographic engineering, no forced migration, no appeasement will be allowed. We will ensure justice for all and development for all,” he said.
