Sambhal Report Leak Sparks Controversy: Why Was Only the Muslim Blame Focused, Questions Surround Yogi Government

A leaked excerpt of the 450-page report on the Sambhal violence of November 2024 has ignited a political storm, raising questions about the Yogi Adityanath-led government’s motives and its handling of sensitive information.

The report, prepared by a three-member judicial panel led by retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora after a nine-month investigation, was handed over to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with a “confidential” status. However, within hours of its submission, selective excerpts were leaked to the media, causing widespread outrage.

The leaked portions, which were prominently published in newspapers, focused on Muslim leaders and organizations. It accused Sambhal MP Ziaur Rehman Barq, former MLA Iqbal Mahmood’s son Sohail Iqbal, and the Jamia Masjid Committee of conspiring to incite violence, mobilizing mobs, and allegedly using “foreign weapons.” The report also highlighted controversial narratives such as “demographic change,” “love jihad,” and “invasion of India,” further fueling the communal discourse.

What raised suspicions, however, was the fact that the sections of the report addressing the alleged failures of the police and administration were not made public. This has led to questions about the timing and intent behind the leak. Critics have pointed out that the selective release of the report’s contents seems politically motivated, aiming to target specific communities while protecting the government’s image.

Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur condemned the leak, describing it as an act detrimental to communal harmony. “Selectively leaking a confidential report is an act that harms communal harmony. It seems to be politically motivated,” Thakur said, stressing that such actions could further deepen divisions in an already tense society.

The opposition has also jumped into the fray, accusing the BJP of using the report as a tool for propaganda. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the move, stating, “The Hindu exodus story is actually an admission of BJP’s failure.” Yadav’s comment alluded to the report’s reference to the alleged exodus of Hindus from the region, which has sparked further debate about its accuracy and intent.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the Yogi government has remained silent on the leak. Public scrutiny, however, is mounting. Questions are being raised about who exactly leaked the report, why only the parts targeting Muslims were revealed, and what the broader political implications of this one-sided narrative might be.

For now, the state government’s silence on the issue has only added fuel to the growing calls for transparency and accountability, with civil society demanding a full release of the report and answers regarding the selective publication of its contents.