Sita-Ram idol found during excavation near Jama Masjid in Sagar, communal tension contained

Bhopal: A sudden discovery of a Sita-Ram idol during an excavation for development works near Jama Masjid in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, triggered tension on Monday, drawing crowds from nearby villages and prompting immediate police intervention.

According to locals, workers were digging the land adjacent to the mosque when they stumbled upon the idol. As news spread, people from neighbouring areas rushed to the spot, creating a large gathering. Police personnel quickly reached the site and brought the situation under control, recognising the sensitivity of the location and the possibility of communal flare-ups.

Villagers stated that a Hindu temple once existed at the site long ago and that the land had been taken over during the reign of former rulers. This claim fuelled arguments between groups from both Hindu and Muslim communities, each presenting their version of history. However, police officials said that the authenticity of these claims must be verified by historians.

To prevent any escalation, police immediately secured the area, wrapped the idol in cloth and seized it as part of the investigation. Before authorities could take possession, members of the Sanskrit Bachao Manch performed a brief ritual after cleaning the idol, demanding that a Rama-Sita temple be reconstructed at the location. Their actions drew objections from some members of the Muslim community present there.

Meanwhile, misinformation linked to similar incidents elsewhere in the country has been circulating online. Recent social media posts falsely claimed that idols were found beneath a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. Fact-checkers have confirmed that those images were from an earlier survey in Karnataka and not from Uttar Pradesh.

The incident has revived debates around temple-mosque disputes. Leaders like Pramod Muthalik recently reiterated long-standing claims that temples were demolished during the rule of the Mughals and Sultans, citing examples such as the Badami mosque and Qutub Minar.

Police have maintained strict vigil in Sagar to ensure peace as the investigation continues.

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