As Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi On Their Way To Sambhal, Authorities Put Barricades
Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh: Amid further extension of restrictions in the violence-hit Sambhal since the court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque that led to the killing of four due to police firing on November 24, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi are all set to leave for the region. Notably, Sambhal superintendent of police Krishan Kumar has ordered that no outsiders are allowed to enter the area, noting the restriction under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He added that if the opposition MPs come, they will be served a notice.
According to the latest reports from the ground, there has been a traffic snarl at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and some commuters have noted that they could see some flags of the Congress party, reports ANI. Ahead of the likely visit of the opposition leader to Sambhal, security has been heightened at the border. As Rahul Gandhi reached 10 Janpath, Priyanka Gandhi has reportedly left her house, ahead of the expected visit of the Congress leaders.
According to reports, Sambhal authorities have requested neighbouring districts stop Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders at borders and closely monitor their journey to the violence-hit region. Police have placed barricades and deployed forces at the border areas.
#WATCH | Massive traffic snarl at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
Security is heightened at the border as Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to visit violence-hit Sambhal today. pic.twitter.com/7t9VopTSnG
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024
Congress leader Ajay Upadhyay has slammed the government for its “baseless” objections against the Congress leader’s visit. Stating that it is against the constitution, the Congress leader said the LoP is trying to visit to share the pain of victims as an ambassador of peace, when polarisation with respect to religion, caste, region is being attempted.
“The LoP is committed for country’s unity in diversity, everyone’s right to live, adherence to the course of law. The LoP wants to go to Sambhal to meet people of society who were victim of firing. The way wrong action was taken by the administration, attempts were made to hastily incite violence in a coordinated way by a specific section of the society, the LoP as an ambassador of peace wants to go there and listen to people, give message of peace. The administration should let him meet people, he has the right to go there, the Centre should also ensure it,” Upadhyay said.
Read Also: “BJP Has Lost”: SP Chief After Party Delegation Stopped From Entering Sambhal
On Tuesday too, the opposition MPs walked out of both houses of the parliament demanding discussion on the violence. Uttar Pradesh’s primary opposition party, the SP, and the Congress have blamed the BJP government for its lackluster response to the violence while demanding an independent judicial investigation into the issue. Though the BJP claims to be restoring peace in the region, the opposition has highlighted the government’s alleged failure, raising questions about the handling of the situation.
The issue led to the violent clash and subsequent death of at least four people when a protest erupted against a team, along with some Hindutva group allegedly chanting Jai Shri Ram, that arrived at the Masjid premises. The survey order was issued after a Hindutva group’s claim that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.
On November 30, on their way to violence-hit Sambhal, a delegation of the Samajwadi Party (SP) was stopped at different place in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Following the further restrictions imposed by the BJP government, the SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had alleged the BJP of suppressing truth, noting that the administration wanted to hide their failure in handling the situation.
Read Also: Fact Check: Is Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Not Covered Under Places Of Worship Act?
Protests erupted during a subsequent survey on November 24, leading to violent clashes near the Shahi Jama Masjid between security forces and demonstrators.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s claims of restoring peace remain contested as opposition parties continue to spotlight alleged government failure and the broader implications of the violence in Uttar Pradesh. However, Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Sambhal is expected to be followed by five Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh.
