Leaders from the Muslim community have urged people to maintain peace and allow the police to investigate the matter thoroughly
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI/AGRA — A disturbing incident occurred on Friday morning at the historic Shahi Jama Masjid in Agra, when a severed animal’s head was discovered in a polythene bag within the mosque premises just before prayers. The incident has created tension in the area, prompting a massive police deployment and appeals for calm.
The bag was reportedly discovered by worshippers arriving for the morning prayers. Upon inspection, the contents revealed raw meat along with what appeared to be the severed head of an animal, spreading immediate concern and fear among locals.
“A few of us reached early for Fajr (dawn prayer). One worhipper noticed a plastic bag near the ablution area. When we checked, it had meat and a severed head. People started gathering quickly,” said Mohammad Shakir, a local resident and frequent visitor to the mosque.
The Mantola police station was notified, and officers rushed to the scene to prevent further escalation. Senior officials from the local administration also arrived to assess the situation and maintain peace.
According to police sources, CCTV footage from the mosque and surrounding areas has captured a suspect allegedly placing the bag in the mosque premises during the early hours of Friday.
The incident has created tension in the area, prompting a massive police deployment and appeals for calm. — Arranged photos
“We have obtained CCTV footage which shows a man entering the mosque area with a bag around 4:30 am. We are working to identify and apprehend him. Several teams have been formed for the task,” said SP (City) Mr. Kuldeep Gunawat, addressing reporters.
He added that forensic examinationw of the contents is underway to determine the type of meat and the species of the animal.
Leaders from the Muslim community have urged people to maintain peace and allow the police to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“This is clearly a deliberate attempt to create communal tension, especially on a Friday. But we appeal to the community not to react emotionally. Let the law take its course,” said Maulana Hafiz Faheemuddin, a cleric associated with Jama Masjid.
Several citizens have echoed similar sentiments, with calls for unity in the face of provocation.
“We cannot allow anyone to break the social fabric of our city. Agra has always been known for its Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture). We request everyone to stay calm,” said Aslam Qureshi, a local social worker.
Authorities have heightened security around the Jama Masjid and in sensitive parts of the city. Mobile units, police patrols, and Rapid Action Force personnel have been stationed to avoid any untoward incident.
“The situation is under control. We appeal to citizens not to spread or believe in rumours or unverified messages on social media. Strict action will be taken against those found inciting communal disharmony,” said Agra District Magistrate Mr. Bhanu Chandra Goswami.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between groups. The cyber cell has also been roped in to monitor social media platforms for inflammatory content.
The Shahi Jama Masjid, located near Agra Fort, is a centuries-old mosque known for its architectural beauty and religious significance. Incidents like this not only disturb public order but also risk harming the reputation and sanctity of such historic monuments.
“This act is not just an insult to a religion, but also to a symbol of our shared heritage. We must rise above such hatred,” said Prof. Shabnam Jafri, a local historian.
While most political parties have avoided making divisive comments, some leaders have raised concerns about the timing and nature of the incident.
Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu said, “This looks like a premeditated act aimed at creating unrest before the upcoming festivals. The government must ensure swift justice and also review security arrangements at religious places.”
The Samajwadi Party issued a brief statement, condemning the incident and asking the administration to take the strongest possible action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s local leadership urged the public to maintain peace and not fall into the trap of “those who wish to create unrest for their political ends.”
This is not the first time such provocative act has been reported near religious places in the state. While officials are treating it as an isolated incident for now, sources say they are not ruling out the possibility of a larger conspiracy.
“We are probing whether the accused has links to any group with an agenda to destabilise communal peace,” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.
The Uttar Pradesh Police, in recent years, have introduced several security measures around mosques and temples, especially during festivals or sensitive periods. However, this incident has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of those measures.
In the aftermath, several markets around the Jama Masjid remained shut for a few hours. Security personnel were seen engaging with community members to build trust and ensure that normalcy was restored.
A local shopkeeper, who requested anonymity, said, “Everyone is worried. We hope this is resolved quickly. Nobody wants violence or tension again.”
The incident has reignited memories of previous episodes of communal disharmony, which had led to curfews and internet shutdowns in various parts of the state.
