Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are set for a visit to Sambhal. With plans to meet the families affected by the recent violence, they began their journey only to be stopped at the UP border by police. Accompanied by Congress leaders KC Venugopal, KL Sharma, Ujjwal Raman Singh, Tanuj Punia, and Imran Masood, the delegation faces a ban on political entries in Sambhal until December 10.
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- Rahul Gandhi's convoy halted at the Ghazipur border.
- After being stopped at the Delhi-UP border, Rahul Gandhi suggested, "Take five of us to Sambhal in the police car." He then requested permission to go alone, stating, “I’ll travel with you, allow me.” Despite this proposal, the administration has not granted approval, keeping the convoy at the UP border.
- Imran Masood, with Rahul and Priyanka, urged, "Open this quickly. Why trouble people? Stop us if you must, but don't block everyone’s way."
- Tanuj Punia affirmed, "If not today, we’ll visit after the 10th."
- Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra departed for Sambhal from her residence, while Rahul Gandhi reached 10 Janpath.
- UP Congress Chief Ajay Rai asserted, "Five of us will go, we have permission for that. Section 163 allows five people to visit. We're not playing politics; it’s about addressing the injustice in Sambhal."
- Anticipating Rahul and Priyanka's visit, police barricades are set at Brijghat, Amroha, leading to traffic jams.
- Congress workers sat on the road at Ghazipur NH9, singing Raghupati Raghav.
| Traffic slows at Ghazipur border on Delhi-Meerut Expressway as Rahul and Priyanka plan a Sambhal visit.
— ANI (@ANI)
- Ghaziabad’s police administration is also on alert, ready to stop Rahul and Priyanka at the Delhi border.
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Question Raised by Akhilesh Yadav
Post the blockade, Akhilesh Yadav, SP leader, queried, "What's UP government hiding? Everyone believes what happened in Sambhal is administrative negligence. They block leaders, suppress people, and hide evidence—what good will it do to visit later?"
He further criticized UP police, claiming the bullet case controversy is perhaps aimed at concealing broader administrative issues. SP MP Dimple Yadav remarked the incident is due to the administration's failure, stressing on BJP’s divisive tactics.
'UP is Riot-Free...'
The Sambhal issue sees both SP and Congress embroiled in a political spectacle. UP has become riot-free, with lawbreakers aware that hooliganism won't thrive here. Initially, SP created a fuss, now it's Congress's turn to play theatrics.
- Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu questioned, "Why stop us? What's the government hiding, what are they afraid of? As the opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi has a right to see what's happening, to witness the reprehensible incidents killing people in Sambhal. If he can’t visit, how will he raise the issue in parliament? We want to see Sambhal's conditions, but they stop us. Isn't this tyranny? Rahul will certainly visit Sambhal and amplify the victims’ voices."
UP Congress President Ajay Rai told reporters, "Rahul and Priyanka might meet victims in Sambhal on Wednesday."
The Congress general secretary in charge of UP, Avinash Pandey, stated, "Rahul’s Sambhal visit aims to foster harmony. He will meet affected families. Ajay Rai, other MPs, and Priyanka will join him."
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Local Administration Alert
Sambhal DM Rajendra Pensia mentioned, "A commission is probing the violence causes, staying until December 10, meeting lots of people. Allowing outside leaders or activists isn't possible for peace and harmony."
An operation is ongoing in Jama Masjid Lane, Sambhal. Authorities search the drain near the mosque with metal detectors.
The local administration, on Rahul and Priyanka’s proposed visit, activated letters to district police heads in Bulandshahr, Amroha, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, urging to keep them at district borders. Rahul's activities are under tight observation, citing Section 163, restrictions on assemblies over five people.
The SP of Sambhal, addressing Rahul’s visit, ordered all public representatives to refrain from visiting before December 10.
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Plan to Stop at Delhi Border
Preparations are underway to halt Rahul in Delhi. Authorities aim to prevent his and Priyanka's travel from Delhi itself, barring entry to UP borders. Rahul’s Sambhal visit places Ghaziabad police on alert, ensuring presence at all Delhi-adjacent borders.
Congress Retorts
UP Congress President Ajay Rai reacted to the DM’s letter as a "murder of democracy," denouncing police misuse.
Sambhal Raised in Parliament
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav addressed the Sambhal violence in parliament, reflecting on its long-standing harmony shattered by intentional actions – a calculated conspiracy, undermining India’s diverse cultural fabric.
Akhilesh insisted on accountability for the chaos, suggesting legal actions against complicit police personnel to ensure justice, maintaining this battle spans Delhi and Lucknow.
SP's Delegation Fails to Visit Sambhal
Directed by SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, a 15-member delegation intended to survey Sambhal earlier, but efforts faltered.
In response, Akhilesh remarked on social media, "Imposing restrictions reveals the BJP’s failure in administration. Such limits should’ve been on provocateurs to maintain Sambhal’s peaceful environment. The BJP should suspend the whole administrative setup for conspiring negligence and commence genuine actions."
On Monday, a UP Congress fact-finding team planned for Sambhal but was postured at their Lucknow office by police.
Read More: Akhilesh Yadav Raises Sambhal Issue in Parliament, Calls It a Pre-Planned Plot
What's the Full Story?
On November 24, a confrontation erupted outside Jama Masjid, Sambhal, when ASI surveyed the mosque following court orders. Resulting violence led to four deaths, with many injured, creating tension. For four days post-incident, markets remained shut under heavy police arrangements identifying culprits. Over 300 accused posters have been released.
The property dispute, based on historical claims by the Hindu side, alleges Jama Masjid's origin from a demolished temple, as per petition lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, claiming Babur's temple destruction to construct the mosque.
