The activist from Mumbra in Mumbai alleged that the mosque survey was used as an excuse to target the minority Muslim community
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Prominent social activist Marzia Shanu Pathan recently visited the violence-hit Uttar Pradesh city of Sambhal to meet the families of those affected by violence linked to a controversial mosque survey. Expressing deep concern over the situation, Pathan vowed to raise the plight of the victims with political leaders, including Maharashtra strongman Sharad Pawar and Jitendra Awhad, to ensure the issue is addressed in Parliament.
Marzia, a social worker from Mumbra in Mumbai, is always in the spotlight. She voices concerns for underprivileged and minority groups and was recently appointed as the national working president of the Nationalist Student Congress, an affiliate of the National Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar.
During her Sambhal visit, Marzia met several families who lost their loved ones or suffered due to the clashes. She described the atmosphere as one of fear and uncertainty, claiming that the violence appeared “premeditated,” media reports quoted her as saying. She alleged that the mosque survey was used as an excuse to target the minority Muslim community. “It seems everything was planned, and only a trigger was needed to unleash this wave of atrocities,” she said.
The activist shared emotional encounters with victims. “I met families who have lost their sons. Women are terrified, and men are missing from several homes. It breaks my heart to see how their lives, once peaceful, have been shattered overnight,” she said.
Pathan noted that heavy police presence in the area was further exacerbating tensions, as residents feel intimidated and unsafe. “The constant patrolling and officers roaming the streets are creating an environment of mental harassment. People fear their homes could be demolished or that someone from their family could be arrested without warning,” she added.
Residents narrated harrowing accounts of their experiences, with many questioning the intentions behind the mosque survey. “Our children were running small businesses or studying. They had nothing to do with any unrest. Yet, we’re being treated like criminals,” said a grieving father whose son was shot during the violence.
Another resident echoed similar sentiments. “For decades, we have lived here peacefully. Now, fear has taken over. We don’t know when our houses will be torn down or when false cases will be filed against us.”
Pathan pledged to meet with influential leaders, including Sharad Pawar, to ensure the voices of the affected families reach the corridors of power. She urged secular leaders to highlight the targeted harassment and alleged government complicity in perpetuating communal tensions.
“In many BJP-ruled states, Muslims are increasingly being marginalised. They are being provoked or entangled in issues of mosques and temples. When they raise their voices, their homes and livelihoods are destroyed. This is not just about Sambhal; it’s a larger pattern of systemic oppression,” she remarked.
Pathan’s visit has brought renewed attention to the plight of the victims in Sambhal. Her efforts to meet key political figures and demand justice aim to shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in India.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said. “The pain and fear I witnessed in Sambhal must not go unheard. It’s time for the country to wake up and ensure such incidents do not happen again.”
With her resolute commitment to justice, Marzia Shanu Pathan’s advocacy could prove instrumental in amplifying the voices of the Sambhal victims on a national stage.
