Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress MPs, plans to visit Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, following recent communal violence. The unrest erupted on November 24 during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) examination of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries among police and locals.
The ASI survey was initiated after a local court petition claimed the mosque was built over a pre-existing Harihar temple. The situation escalated when nearly 1,000 Muslim protesters blocked access to the mosque, leading to clashes with police involving stone-pelting and tear gas. Authorities responded by closing schools, suspending internet services, and prohibiting public gatherings to restore order.
Congress leader Sachin Chaudhary accused Uttar Pradesh police of preventing a party delegation from visiting Sambhal and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident. He stated, “Police are stopping us from going to Sambhal… We demand a CBI inquiry into the matter.”
On November 27, Divisional Commissioner of Moradabad Division, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, reported that 27 individuals had been arrested in connection with the violence, including three women and three juveniles. He noted that 74 people were identified through video footage and public assistance, with efforts ongoing to identify others.
The incident has drawn significant political attention, with Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav alleging in the Rajya Sabha that the violence was preplanned, linking it to the November 20 Assembly bypolls. Opposition leaders later staged a walkout over the issue.
Rahul Gandhi’s planned visit underscores the heightened political sensitivity surrounding the Sambhal violence, as leaders seek to address communal tensions and advocate for thorough investigations.
