Hindutva Groups Try To Capture Tomb In Fatehpur, Claiming It Ancient Temple.

Tensions Flare in Fatehpur (Uttar Pradesh): Hindutva Groups Vandalize Tomb, Claim Ancient Temple Beneath.

Upendra Bharti | HENB  Lucknow | Aug 12, 2025:: A disturbing incident of communal tension unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district on Monday, August 11, 2025, when members of Hindu right-wing groups, including the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, vandalized the tomb of Nawab Abdul Samad Khan. The mob claimed that the structure was built over a thousand-year-old temple dedicated to Thakurji and Lord Shiva, sparking widespread controversy and violence.

The Controversy

The dispute revolves around the Maqbara Mangi, a centuries-old tomb officially recorded as a national property. However, BJP district president Mukhlal Pal alleged that the structure contains symbols like lotus flowers and tridents, which he claims are evidence of its Hindu origins. Pal urged his followers to gather at Puri Thakur Dak Bungalow and march to perform pooja at the site, leading to a massive police deployment and barricades to prevent escalation .

Vandalism and Protests

The situation turned violent when members of Hindu organizations, armed with lathis and carrying saffron flags, stormed the tomb and vandalized parts of it. Videos from the scene showed people chanting “Jai Shree Ram” and surrounding the tomb under heavy police protection. More than 150 people have been booked for damaging public property and disturbing peace, with several named individuals, including Dharmendra Singh (Bajrang Dal) and Abhishek Shukla (BJP), among the accused.

Administrative Response

The district administration maintains that the land is officially recorded as a national property tomb and is closely monitoring the situation. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the government had taken the incident seriously and assured that strict vigil would be maintained to ensure peace. “We are maintaining strict vigil to ensure peace. No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he stated.

Community Reactions

The National Ulama Council condemned the incident, describing it as an attempt to distort history and disturb communal harmony. “Are we now going to search for temples beneath every mosque and tomb?” questioned Mo Naseem, National Secretary of the National Ulama Council, warning of protests if authorities fail to halt the planned pooja.

Aftermath

The situation remains tense in Fatehpur, with police maintaining a strong presence to prevent clashes amid competing religious claims over the centuries-old structure. The Math-Mandir Sanrakshan Sangharsh Samiti submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate, demanding intervention and alleging that the “temple” was in a “severely dilapidated” condition.
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_Inputs from Economic Times.