The Samajwadi Party (SP) has sparked outrage by distributing Rs 5 lakh each as compensation to the families of five Muslim men who were killed during the Sambhal riots on November 24. These individuals were part of a violent mob that attacked police personnel and torched public property during a court-mandated survey of the Jama Masjid.
The violence erupted on November 24 after a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, triggering an angry mob that attacked police officers, damaged property, and torched vehicles. The police had no choice but to respond with rubber bullets, tear gas, and sticks in an attempt to control the unruly mob. Five individuals, identified as participants in the riot, were killed during the violence, and 20 police officers sustained injuries in the line of duty.
However, instead of acknowledging the mob’s unlawful actions, the Samajwadi Party has chosen to frame the rioters as martyrs and reward their families.
On December 30, a delegation led by Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey and Sambhal MP Ziaur Rehman Barq visited the district and distributed Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased rioters. Pandey and Barq claimed the police had unjustly targeted Muslims, accusing the state government of being biased and showing no sympathy for the community.
The Samajwadi Party’s decision to reward the rioters’ families has been widely criticised as a cynical attempt to garner votes from a particular community by capitalising on a politically sensitive issue. Critics argue that this act of appeasement only deepens the communal divide in the region and sends a message that political gain is more important than upholding the rule of law.
By financially supporting the families of those who were involved in attacking law enforcement officers, the Samajwadi Party is sending a dangerous signal to the public: mob violence against the state is acceptable if framed through a communal lens. This endorsement of lawlessness could embolden other such mobs, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to maintain peace and order in the region.
The Samajwadi Party’s actions are not an isolated incident. Over the years, the party has been accused of consistently appeasing Muslim voters at the expense of law and order. Former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s infamous order to open fire on unarmed karsevaks during the Ayodhya agitation in 1990, and the party’s actions during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, have earned the Samajwadi Party a reputation for prioritising Muslim appeasement over national security and justice.
In recent years, the party has made it a point to position itself as the protector of the Muslim community, even if it means siding with those who are guilty of violent acts. The Sambhal incident, where rioters openly attacked the police and threatened public safety, is yet another example of how the Samajwadi Party is willing to support lawbreakers in order to maintain political relevance among certain voter groups.
While the Samajwadi Party has gone to great lengths to reward those involved in the violence, there has been little recognition of the police officers who were injured while performing their duty. The state’s law enforcement personnel, who were attacked with stones and other projectiles, have been left in the shadows while the rioters’ families receive financial compensation.
By compensating only the families of those who engaged in violence and disregarding the innocent police officers who risked their lives, the Samajwadi Party is sowing discord and devaluing the sacrifices of law enforcement. This divisive approach not only undermines the morale of police forces but also weakens the sense of justice among ordinary citizens who look to the authorities to maintain peace.
The incident also highlights the broader phenomenon of the Ummah concept, which emphasises Muslim solidarity across national and racial boundaries. This ideology has been used to justify transnational support for movements like the Khilafat Movement in the 1920s and, more recently, protests in India in solidarity with Palestine. Such narratives, when weaponised in domestic politics, can exacerbate communal tensions and threaten internal stability.
The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government has strongly condemned the SP’s actions. A senior BJP leader described the move as “a betrayal of law-abiding citizens and police officers who risk their lives to maintain order.” The state government has called for stricter measures to curb communal violence and prevent political exploitation of sensitive incidents.
Civil society groups have also voiced their concerns, urging greater accountability and impartiality in handling such cases. “Rewarding rioters undermines the principles of justice and encourages future violence,” said a prominent legal expert.
