'Sambhal mentioned in scriptures that predate Islam, 2 temples were destroyed between 1526-36': Adityanath

'Sambhal was a famous pilgrimage in ancient times…there were 68 pilgrimage sites there. We have been able to trace only 18 so far….through 'land jihad' during previous governments, these places were occupied', the UP CM added.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday being a ‘yogi’ himself he had respect for all sects and religions but he would not accept ‘’forced occupation’’ of Hindu religious places as he referred to alleged demolition of a Hindu temple to build a Mosque in Sambhal.

"Sambhal ek sachai hai….ham jabaran kisi kisi par kabja karke kisi ki aastha ko thes pahuchana to ye sweekarya nahin hoga,’’ (Sambhal is a fact…we will not tolerate forced occupation of religious places and hurting religious sentiments), Adityanath said while speaking at a function here.

‘’Ram Temple was demolished in 1526 while Shree Vishnu Hari Temple in Sambhal was demolished in 1536, both by Mir Baki. It is a well known fact,’’ Adityanath said.

He said that Sambhal found mention in the Hindu ‘Puranas’ and ‘Upanishads’ thousands of years back, even before Islam came into existence. ‘’Sambhal was a famous pilgrimage in ancient times…there were 68 pilgrimage sites there. We have been able to trace only 18 so far….through 'land jihad' during previous governments, these places were occupied,’’ he added.

Adityanath said that according to the ‘Puranas’, Lord Vishnu’s 10th incarnation would take place in Sambhal.

Sambhal has been in the news after four persons were killed in violence during a court mandated survey of a mosque, which the Hindu petitioners claimed, was built after demolishing a temple last year.

In an apparent reference to allegations that he was against the Muslims, Adityanath said that he was a ‘yogi’ and he had respect for every sect and religion.

The chief minister said that the recently concluded Maha Kumbh was able to showcase India’s capability and the true character of Sanatan Dharma. ‘’The Maha Kumbh has changed the image of Uttar Pradesh too," he added.

Adityanath also came down heavily on those who considered Mughal emperor Aurangzeb an ‘ideal’ king and said that only a person with ‘mental imbalance’ could glorify Aurangzeb.

''Let those who idolise Aurangzeb, name their children after him and be ready to suffer the fate of Shah Jahan,'' he remarked.

History books state that Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb at Agra Fort where he later died.