NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rajiv Shukla announced on Tuesday that Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has departed for Sambhal, accompanied by a delegation of senior Congress leaders.
“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress delegation have left directly from Parliament for Sambhal,” Shukla informed ANI.
The visit follows the November 24 stone-pelting incident that erupted during a survey team’s visit to the Shahi Jama Masjid, which has since become a focal point of political and communal tensions.
On Monday, Rahul Gandhi openly criticized the BJP, accusing the ruling party of deliberately exacerbating communal discord. He asserted that the BJP’s policies were fostering divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities, jeopardizing the country’s social harmony. Gandhi also condemned the government’s failure to manage the escalating situation effectively.
In parallel, a 12-member delegation from the Samajwadi Party, led by senior leader Mata Prasad Pandey, is heading to Sambhal to investigate the aftermath of the violence. Pandey, the Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, lambasted the state administration for alleged “police excesses” during the unrest.
“We plan to meet the families of those who lost their lives in the clashes. The unchecked actions of law enforcement, including the use of unauthorized weapons alongside official ones, must be held accountable,” Pandey asserted.
To restore order, the district administration has significantly bolstered security in Sambhal. Sensitive areas have been fortified with additional police personnel to avert further violence.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for the Moradabad Range, Muniraj G., reassured the public that stability was returning to the region. “Markets have resumed operations, and normalcy is gradually being restored. There is no need for panic. Seven FIRs have been lodged, and suspects are being identified through video footage,” DIG Muniraj stated, emphasizing that innocent individuals would not face unwarranted actions.
The incident has ignited heated debates in Parliament, where the Opposition has accused the Yogi Adityanath government of grossly mishandling the crisis. Congress MPs have demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the violence and questioned the state government’s inability to prevent the clashes during a sensitive court-ordered survey.
The controversy centers around a legal petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who alleged that the Shahi Jama Masjid was originally constructed on the site of a Hindu temple. The petition led to a court-ordered survey of the mosque, which has since sparked unrest and communal tensions in the region.
Local activists and residents have voiced alarm over the growing polarization. “This incident underscores the urgent need for political leaders across parties to prioritize reconciliation and address the underlying mistrust among communities,” said a social activist from Sambhal.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit is seen as an effort to connect with the affected families and reinforce Congress’s stance on the BJP’s handling of communal issues. The Samajwadi Party’s simultaneous visit highlights the increasing political focus on the region, with both parties vying for support from minority communities ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Adding to the tensions, the Supreme Court has temporarily stayed further surveys of the mosque site, citing the need to maintain peace and prevent further escalation. However, the ongoing legal dispute over the mosque’s origins continues to loom large, leaving the resolution uncertain and the communal fabric fragile.
