Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Halted at Ghazipur Border En Route to Sambhal Amid Violence
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New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who were on their way to the violence-affected Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) on Wednesday, were halted at the Ghazipur border along the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
The Congress MPs, along with numerous party members and supporters, encountered a blockade by police officials at the border, citing concerns over the law and order situation in Sambhal.
This planned visit by the Gandhi siblings follows nearly two weeks after unrest occurred in the Western UP town during the survey of the Jama Masjid mosque.
The disturbances that transpired during the mosque survey resulted in the loss of five young lives, leading Opposition parties to criticize the Yogi Adityanath government for the deteriorating law and order conditions.
As the Congress convoy faced a halt at the Ghazipur border, the Congress MPs requested the police to permit a small delegation to visit the troubled town to connect with the affected and grieving families.
It is noteworthy that Sambhal has been under strict police surveillance following the violence on November 24.
Prohibitory measures have been enacted, restricting 'outsiders' from entering the town until December 10 to prevent any further escalation of violence.
Previously, a Samajwadi Party delegation was also barred from entering the town.
The Mughal-era mosque is embroiled in a legal dispute, with petitioners asserting that a Hindu temple once occupied the mosque's site.
Following a court order for an ASI survey of the mosque to ascertain the 'truth', the police and survey team were attacked and pelted with stones by a large crowd from the minority community.
Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal criticized the UP government for obstructing the Gandhi siblings' journey to Sambhal.
"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," Venugopal stated on X.
