Sambhal and Kashmir: A Similar Tragedy

India’s history is marked by numerous instances of atrocities and forced migrations against Hindus. Among these, the 1989-90 Kashmir exodus and the 1978 Sambhal riots stand out as devastating events. What is striking is the similarity between the two:

When millions of Hindus were forced to flee Kashmir, India’s Home Minister was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (father of Mehbooba Mufti).
During the 1978 Sambhal riots, the District Magistrate (DM) of Sambhal was also a Muslim, Farhat Ali.

In both cases, the cries of Hindus for justice and protection reached the very authorities responsible for law and order. Yet, no action was taken, and justice remained a distant dream.

Kashmir 1989-90: Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s Tenure

On December 2, 1989, India got its first Muslim Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. His tenure lasted only 11 months (until November 10, 1990), but in this short time, Kashmir Valley became Hindu-free.

Thousands of Hindus were brutally murdered.
Hindu women were subjected to mass gang rapes.
Millions of Hindus were forced to abandon their homes and lands, becoming refugees in their own country.
The mass exodus from Kashmir remains one of the darkest chapters in Hindu history.

Sambhal 1978: DM Farhat Ali and the Exodus of Hindus

In 1978, during the riots in Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), Hindus faced a similarly horrifying ordeal.

As per a report by India TV, during the riots, when mobs were massacring Hindus, Hindu traders and leaders pleaded with the then DM of Sambhal, Farhat Ali, for help.
They fell at his feet, begging for protection for their families and their daughters.
However, Farhat Ali neither imposed a curfew nor provided any security. Instead, Hindu leaders were arrested, further emboldening the Muslim rioters.

Following this:

Muslim mobs became even more violent.
Hindu women were publicly raped in broad daylight.
After horrific atrocities, Hindu women were tortured and killed.
Thousands of Hindus fled Sambhal, seeking refuge in neighboring districts like Moradabad, which itself has now become Muslim-majority.
Religious Imbalance and Government Apathy

Both Sambhal and Kashmir highlight a stark truth:

When biased individuals hold key administrative positions, they enable atrocities by their own community.
After 1978, the Hindu population in Sambhal sharply declined, and today, districts like Moradabad are also Muslim-majority areas.
Future Threat: Rising Muslim Influence in Civil Services
In 2023, over 52 Muslim candidates cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams, with several securing top ranks.
When these candidates take up key administrative positions, will they not act like Farhat Ali, enabling atrocities?
The government has significantly increased funding for civil service coaching specifically for minorities:
In 2019, as per a report in Jansatta, funding for institutions providing coaching for IAS exams to minorities was heavily increased.
This has resulted in a sharp rise in the selection of Muslim candidates in civil services.

Our Duty

Pressure your local MLAs and MPs to end funding for Waqf Boards and minority-specific benefits.
Stay vigilant about your safety and religious identity.
Learn from history and spread awareness.
Message for Youth
The incidents in Sambhal and Kashmir teach us:

If we do not remain aware and united today, India may become even more unsafe for Hindus in the future.
Only through unity and courage can we protect our religion and culture.
”Everyone who reads this post should share it with at least 1,000 others.
Awareness is our greatest strength.”