On Wednesday, December 4th, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were involved in a high-tension standoff at the Gazipur border after being stopped while traveling from Delhi to Noida en route to violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. Reports indicate that upon encountering barricades at the border, the leaders exited their vehicle to discuss the matter with senior police officials but were denied permission to proceed to the affected area.
Image- ANI
The Congress delegation visiting Sambhal included the Gandhi siblings along with five other Congress MPs.
Commenting on the incident, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal alleged that the leaders were deliberately prevented from crossing the border. “We are determined to meet the victims’ families in the interest of peace and communal harmony in our country, the UP government must allow the delegation to visit Sambhal,” he said.
“What is the reason behind the UP Government stopping the Lok Sabha LOP from visiting the families of those who lost their lives in the violence? It is basic humanity to stand by someone who has suffered such grief and loss. Rahul ji’s motto has been ‘Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan’. And when the ruling regime has created an atmosphere of hatred, it is our duty as the opposition to bring compassion, empathy, and love,” he added.
It is important to note that the delegation was stopped due to prohibitory orders imposed in the district following last month’s violence during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which resulted in five deaths. However, Congress leaders have claimed that they were intentionally prevented from meeting the victims and their families.
Reports suggest that district officials in Sambhal instructed surrounding districts to stop the Congress leaders before they could enter the area. The District Magistrate sent a letter to authorities in Bulandshahr, Amroha, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, urging them to intercept the leaders at the district borders. He also directed officials to closely monitor Rahul Gandhi’s route to Sambhal.
It is significant to note that barricades have been set up at multiple points, and vehicle checks have begun along the Delhi-Sambhal highway. Significant traffic congestion has been observed at various locations along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The Congress leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, have been accused of dramatizing serious situations in BJP-ruled states. They often seize the opportunity presented by such incidents of violence in BJP-governed areas to criticize state leaders for disturbing the peace.
In 2020, during the Hathras incident, the Gandhi siblings faced criticism for politicizing the tragedy in the name of showing solidarity with the victim’s family. While en route to meet the family, they were heard laughing in their car, which led to widespread backlash over their insensitivity.
The Congress party has a history of using such critical situations to gain political advantage. In this instance, the leaders proceeded to the violence-hit area despite prohibitory orders being in place.
Interestingly, the Gandhi siblings never attempt to visit the families of victims when the state government is run by the Congress or one of its allies.
On December 1st, a judicial commission investigating the violence in Sambhal visited the affected areas. The three-member panel, led by retired Justice Devendra Kumar Arora of the Allahabad High Court, along with IAS officers Amit Mohan Prasad and Arvind Kumar Jain, conducted an inspection of the Jama Masjid, which was at the center of the violence on November 24th.
Following the violence on November 24th, there has been an uproar among opposition parties. Both Congress and the Samajwadi Party have accused the BJP government of mishandling the situation, and the incident sparked heated debates in Parliament.
Investigation into the Origins of Sambhal Violence: A High-Stakes Probe
The judicial commission has been assigned the responsibility of investigating whether the violence in Sambhal was planned in advance or erupted spontaneously. Additionally, the panel will assess the effectiveness of police security measures and determine the underlying cause of the violence. Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar Singh mentioned to the media, “The judicial committee will decide the course of action. Our role is to assist them and ensure their security. Arrangements will align with their requirements as the investigation unfolds.”
The commission's inquiry followed the Sambhal District Court's directive for a survey of the Jama Masjid, which was conducted by an advocate commissioner. This court-ordered survey came in response to a petition filed by Hari Shankar Jain and other petitioners, claiming that the mosque was constructed over the ruins of the Hari Har Mandir in the 1500s. The first survey was carried out on November 19th, followed by a second on November 24th, under the court's orders. During this time, thousands of Islamist protesters gathered outside the mosque, chanting religious slogans and engaging in violent acts. They threw stones at the police, set fire to both government and private vehicles, and fired at law enforcement officers. Four individuals from the mob were killed in friendly fire. The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the trial court proceedings and the Advocate Commissioner’s report will remain sealed until further notice.
Political Turmoil and Judicial Reactions
After the violence on November 24th, opposition parties and leaders erupted in protest. Both Congress and the Samajwadi Party blamed the BJP government for mishandling the situation. The unrest also sparked intense debates in Parliament.
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