Rahul Gandhi Blames BJP Government for Sambhal Violence, Calls for Unity and Justice
New Delhi: Reacting strongly to the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, where four youths were killed during clashes, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, blamed the BJP-led state government for the deteriorating law and order situation. He accused the government of exacerbating the issue with its biased and hasty approach to a sensitive dispute, leading to the tragic loss of life.
Rahul Gandhi expressed his concern on social media, writing, “The biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is extremely unfortunate.” He further stated that the administration’s failure to consider all perspectives and its insensitivity to the situation only worsened tensions, ultimately resulting in the deaths. “The BJP government is directly responsible for this,” he added.
The violence erupted following a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid, a Mughal-era mosque, in Sambhal. The survey is part of a contentious legal dispute over claims that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple, an issue that has stoked significant communal tensions in the region. The violence saw clashes between protesters and police, with security personnel using force to disperse the crowd.
Gandhi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, adding that the BJP’s approach to using power to fuel divisions between Hindus and Muslims is damaging to the nation. He further stated that this approach does not serve the interests of the state or the country. “I request the Supreme Court to intervene in this matter as soon as possible and provide justice,” he urged.
The Congress leader also called for national unity, emphasizing the need to move forward on the path of unity and the Constitution, not communalism and hatred. “We all have to join together to ensure that India moves forward on the path of unity and Constitution, not communalism and hatred,” he said.
In response to the escalating violence, local authorities have imposed strict security measures, enforced prohibitory orders, and suspended internet services in Sambhal. Schools and colleges have been closed, and outsiders have been banned from entering the district until December 1. Public gatherings have also been prohibited.
The police have arrested 21 individuals, including two women, and seized weapons from their homes. Authorities are using CCTV footage to identify further suspects involved in the violence. The contentious mosque survey, which has led to a heated debate about historical narratives, continues to fuel tensions in the area.
Critics argue that the survey, which is part of a legal process initiated by a petition claiming that a temple stood at the mosque’s location, is a provocation that undermines the sanctity of religious sites as protected under the Places of Worship Act, 1991. Supporters, however, maintain that the survey is necessary to uncover historical truths.
