Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The violence that erupted in the Uttar Pradesh city of Sambhal during the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in November last year has led to the arrest of Aqeel, who is accused of inciting unrest. The arrest follows the circulation of a video wherein Aqeel could be seen engaging in a video call with Pakistani engineer and religious leader Mohammad Ali Mirza.
In the disturbing footage shared on January 15, Aqeel questions Mirza about whether those killed in the violence could be considered “martyrs.” Following the video’s widespread circulation, local authorities acted swiftly, forming a joint team of police, surveillance, and SOG under the instructions of Sambhal SP Krishan Bishnoi. Aqeel was arrested shortly thereafter, and police are now investigating his potential links to Pakistan.
In the video, Aqeel openly blames the police for the violence which took the lives of five Muslim youths. The violence followed a controversial survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which had already been a flashpoint for tension in the region.
The controversy surrounding Mohammad Ali Mirza, a Pakistani engineer who presents himself as a scholar and religious leader, has further complicated the matter. Mirza, who holds a government job in Pakistan as a 19th-scale engineer, has faced criticism for his views on Islamic history. He has been accused of making derogatory comments about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), especially those who opposed Hazrat Ali, calling them “heretical” and “cruel.”
While Mirza’s online influence continues to grow, especially among certain segments of the Muslim community, his unconventional approach to religion has sparked fierce debate. His teachings, primarily disseminated through YouTube, are viewed with suspicion by many, who question his qualifications as a religious leader.
Sambhal police are now focusing on Aqeel’s involvement in the riots and the potential role Mirza’s teachings may have played in instigating the violence. Authorities are also examining whether any foreign influence could have played a part in the unrest.
The investigation into the tragic events of November continues, with residents and officials calling for accountability. The deaths of five Muslim youths have left the community grieving, while questions about the role of social media, external influences, and religious rhetoric persist.
