Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared Sambhal a sacred Hindu site, not a controversy, asserting that those who suppressed its truth for political gain will face consequences. Speaking at a public event in Bahjoi, Sambhal, after inaugurating 222 development projects worth Rs 659 crore, Adityanath emphasized the town’s significance as the prophesied birthplace of Lord Kalki, Vishnu’s 10th avatar, as cited in the Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran, Skanda Purana, and Vishnu Purana. “Sambhal is a reality, not a dispute. Those who hid its truth will be punished for their sins,” he said, targeting historical invasions and post-Independence political agendas.

Adityanath highlighted Sambhal’s ancient heritage, noting its 68 pilgrimage sites, 19 holy wells, and a 284-kosi parikrama path, desecrated by foreign invaders and neglected by Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) governments. “They committed atrocities to protect vote banks,” he alleged, vowing to restore all sacred sites. He drew parallels with the successful revitalization of Kashi Vishwanath and Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, asking, “If Kashi and Ayodhya can be revived, why not Sambhal?” The CM’s resolve follows last year’s violence during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which some claim was built over a Harihar temple, resulting in four deaths and injuries.

The survey, sparked by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain’s petition citing Babarnama’s account of a temple’s destruction in 1526, uncovered a Shiv-Hanuman temple and led to the reopening of locked temples in Sambhal and Varanasi. Adityanath criticized opposition parties for glorifying invaders like Babur and accused them of fostering riots, referencing SP MP Ziaur Rahman Barq’s role in the 2024 clashes. “Those who desecrate Sanatan Dharma’s sites will face justice,” he warned, pledging to crush such designs.

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Minister Gulab Devi urged renaming Sambhal to reflect its Hindu identity, amplifying local sentiments. Adityanath’s government, backed by robust security and ASI surveys, is also building a police station near the mosque to counter Waqf Board claims. With 18 pilgrimage sites and wells already reclaimed, the CM stressed that development must align with heritage, ensuring Sambhal’s spiritual legacy shines.

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