Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi abort trip to violence-hit Sambhal, return to Delhi

Aborting their trip to violence-hit Sambhal, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders returned to Delhi from Ghazipur. The Congress leaders were stopped from proceeding further on Delhi-Meerut Expressway citing prohibitory orders in Sambhal.

The convoy of Congress leaders returned to Delhi from Ghazipur. Uttar Pradesh police heightened security at Ghazipur on the Expressway in view of the Congress delegation’s visit. Police had placed barricades on the road, leading to massive traffic jams on the route. The Congress leaders returned after spending close to an hour at Ghazipur.

Slamming the Uttar Pradesh government for not permitting their visit, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Whatever happened in Sambhal is wrong. Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition, he has constitutional rights and he cannot be stopped like this. He has the constitutional right to be allowed to go and meet the victims,” ANI reported.

She added that Rahul was ready to visit Sambhal alone, along with police personnel, but the police did not grant permission for that either. “The police have no answer. Maybe the situation in Uttar Pradesh is such that they cannot handle even this much. Why do they say so arrogantly that they have taken care of the law and order?” Priyanka charged.

At least four persons died and over 20 persons including police personnel suffered injuries after violence erupted over the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24. A local court ordered a survey of the mosque after a petition was moved claiming it was constructed demolishing a temple. Prohibitory orders are in place till December 10 in Sambhal.

Earlier, the district administration also stopped a delegation of Samajwadi Party from visiting Sambhal. The state government has formed a judicial commission to conduct a thorough probe into the cause of violence.