Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by Uttar Pradesh police from visiting the Sambhal district to meet families affected by the violence that erupted on November 24. Despite his insistence that it was his duty and right as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to visit the town, he was turned away at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border in Ghazipur.
Rahul Gandhi can be seen arguing with a police officer in a video shared by him. The Congress leader said he was not allowed to visit and that he had every right to speak to the families affected by the violence, which is illegal. He repeatedly asked, “On what basis have they denied the LoP permission to go?” to which the officer replied that it was a matter of law and order. Gandhi responded, “Am I going to disturb law and order?” and insisted that he would visit quietly with police escort.
पुलिस ने हमें संभल जाने से रोक दिया। विपक्ष के नेता होने के नाते यह मेरा अधिकार और कर्तव्य है कि मैं वहां जाऊं। फिर भी मुझे रोका गया।
मैं अकेला जाने को भी तैयार हूं, लेकिन वे इसके लिए भी नहीं माने। यह संविधान के ख़िलाफ़ है।
भाजपा क्यों डरी हुई है – अपनी नाकामियों को छुपाने के… pic.twitter.com/aZ5pDjXtZA
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 4, 2024
While Congress leaders remained calm, the police argued that it was a “sensitive situation” and wouldn’t let him, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Congress MPs proceed further. He then offered to go alone, but that request also wasn’t entertained, and the police asked the delegation to reverse their path.
Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, strongly condemned the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to not let Gandhi visit the areas. The Samajwadi Party and other opposition members walked out of Lok Sabha.
BJP leaders immediately retaliated by claiming that the visit was just a “photo opportunity” for the Congress party. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned why Gandhi did not take time out to visit Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, where violence broke out earlier. The BJP veteran Giriraj Singh called this move a “political drama.”
The tension in Sambhal flared up after violent clashes between locals and police during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque at the center of a legal dispute. Some petitions have claimed the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, which has led to ongoing tensions. The clashes resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured. The district has been under prohibitory orders since the violence broke out, and security has been tightened in the area.
The Uttar Pradesh police claim that no outsider will be allowed to enter the area due to the law and order situation. These orders have been given till December 31. Earlier, a delegation of Samajwadi Party was also not let in Sambhal on the same grounds.
The failed attempt by Rahul Gandhi to visit Sambhal has sparked a political debate on the limitations placed upon the Leader of the Opposition in meeting with the people in such moments of crises. While the Congress is keen to state that the visit was inspired by concern, BJP leaders questioned the move and stated that the opposition was seeking political mileage in the tragedy.
