India’s Hindu Right Seems Unstoppable. This City Shows How.

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 9 min read 100% complete by Mujib Mashal, Suhasini Raj and Saumya KhandelwalFebruary 20, 2026 at 06:17 PM

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long article 9 min

In Sambhal, India, a city with a Muslim majority, tensions escalated after violent clashes between Muslims and police in November 2024 over the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque. The conflict arose from a court case initiated by a Hindu lawyer seeking to dismantle the 16th-century mosque, claiming it was built on a Hindu site. Hindu nationalists view the mosque as a symbol of foreign invasion and seek to assert Hindu dominance. Following the clashes, residents report that state authorities have stifled the Muslim community. The events in Sambhal highlight the growing power of the Hindu Right in India and its influence on local government, police, and the judiciary.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Saumya Khandelwal 30% Mujib Mashal ×240% Suhasini Raj ×240% Police ×260% Muslims ×470% Shahi Jama Masjid ×275% India ×480% Hindu Right ×385% Sambhal ×590%

Keywords

hindu right 100% muslims 90% mosque 80% shahi jama masjid 70% sambhal 70% religious conflict 60% hindu nationalism 60% police 50% court ruling 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

Source Transparency

Source

New York Times - World

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.30)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Sambhal

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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hindu right muslims mosque shahi jama masjid sambhal religious conflict hindu nationalism police court ruling

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