Fatehpur, UP | India — A long-standing dispute over a historical structure in Fatehpur has erupted into a major confrontation, as Hindu organizations, including the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, stormed and vandalized a 200-year-old tomb, asserting it is a Hindu temple. The incident, which unfolded on Monday, has led to a large-scale police deployment and heightened communal tensions in the area.
The structure, known as the Nawab Abdul Samad tomb in the Abunagar locality, became the focal point of the unrest. According to reports, a large crowd of Hindu activists, led by local BJP leaders, gathered at the site, which they claimed was originally a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shri Krishna. The groups had reportedly issued a warning to perform puja at the site on August 11.
Defying police barricades, the crowd reportedly broke into the sealed area, vandalizing the tomb and hoisting a saffron flag on its roof. Eyewitnesses said that some individuals also attempted to break the structure with sticks. The provocative actions quickly drew a strong reaction from the Muslim community, leading to stone-pelting and a tense standoff.
A group of people from a fringe organisation vandalised a tomb in Fatehpur, claiming that the complex was built on top of a temple
The tomb, officially registered under Khasra number 753 in government records as Maqbara Mangi (National Property), has become a flashpoint after… pic.twitter.com/BiVM2jCSvM
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 11, 2025
Police responded with a lathicharge to disperse the mob, and a case has been registered against 10 named individuals and 150 unidentified people for rioting and vandalism. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, the district administration has deployed a heavy police force from multiple stations and sealed off the area.
A representative from the Bajrang Dal, Dharmendra Singh, was quoted as saying, “We have a right to worship. That is our temple,” and vowed to continue their protest until they are allowed to perform rituals at the site. Meanwhile, local Hindu activists have claimed that a Shivling existed inside the tomb and that the structure was tampered with in 2011 to remove Hindu symbols and paint it green.
In response, a representative from the National Ulama Council, along with the tomb’s caretaker, has contested the claims, stating the structure is a 500-year-old tomb of Abu Mohammad and Abu Samad, built during the Mughal era. Shahar Qazi Abdullah Shaidul Islam has released a video appealing for peace and calm.
District Magistrate Ravindra Singh stated that the situation is currently under control and efforts are underway to maintain law and order. He added that action would be taken against those who spread rumors and create a tense atmosphere.
