Today, senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were scheduled to visit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. They intended to meet those affected by the violence in the area. However, their convoy was halted by the administration at the Ghaziabad border, sparking a response from Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav.
Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party expressed concern that the Congress Party is neglecting to raise the Sambhal issue in Parliament, even as Rahul Gandhi attempts to visit Sambhal. He questioned the intent of Congress' actions, suggesting they were merely ceremonial. Nevertheless, the police are unlikely to permit their entry.
Ram Gopal Yadav reiterated his concerns about Congress overlooking the Sambhal issue in Parliament while Rahul Gandhi is making his way to Sambhal. He believes Congress is engaging in formalities without substance. The police are expected to prevent their progress.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the local administration's decision to block Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi's entry to Sambhal, labeling it dictatorial. He stressed the intention was to visit peacefully in light of the recent unrest in Sambhal, which they have a right to witness firsthand.
Notably, a delegation from the Samajwadi Party was also poised to visit Sambhal following instructions from SP President and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav. The 15-member delegation aimed to tour Sambhal, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Following these events, Akhilesh Yadav denounced the travel ban on social media, criticizing the BJP government’s administration and management. He argued that had the restrictions been applied to those inciting violence and shouting inflammatory slogans earlier, Sambhal’s harmony and peace wouldn't have been disrupted. He proposed suspending the entire administrative hierarchy involved, while calling for genuine action to hold them accountable for negligence, potentially including legal proceedings if necessary. Yadav proclaimed the BJP as defeated.
What's the Full Story?
On November 24, a clash occurred between locals and the police near Jama Masjid in Sambhal, as an ASI team arrived to survey the mosque following a court order. Tragically, four individuals lost their lives, and several others were injured. Subsequently, shops remained closed for four days, enveloping the area in tension. In response, Sambhal's administration has employed stringent security measures to restore normalcy, with ongoing efforts to identify the aggressors. To date, over 300 suspects have had their images released to the public.
The conflict stems from a petition by the Hindu faction in court, claiming that the historical Jama Masjid in Sambhal was constructed by demolishing the Shri Harihar Temple. Vishnu Shankar Jain, a lawyer representing the Hindu side, asserts that the mosque was built at Babar's command by dismantling the temple. These arguments persuaded the Sambhal court to order a survey of the mosque, triggering the ensuing unrest.
