Rahul Gandhi To Lead Congress Delegation To Violence-Hit Sambhal Tomorrow Despite Curbs, Priyanka Likely To Join

Congress delegation led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra plans to visit Sambhal despite prohibitory orders. Congress accuses BJP of suppressing dissent, while BJP calls it "political tourism."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with five party MPs from Uttar Pradesh, is set to visit Sambhal, which has been on edge since the November 24 clashes. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai announced that newly-elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to join the delegation.

Congress General Secretary Avinash Pande will also join the party MPs, news agency PTI reported Rai as saying.

Prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been extended until December 31, preventing any entry into Sambhal, where four people were killed and several others injured in violence during a court-mandated survey of a Mughal-era mosque.  

Clash Outside Congress Office Over Sambhal Visit

On Monday, scores of Congress workers clashed with police as Rai and senior leader PL Punia attempted to lead a fact-finding delegation to Sambhal. The police stopped their vehicle at the gate of the Congress office in Lucknow, leading Rai and the workers to stage a dharna.  

Speaking to reporters, Rai said, "The administration has told me that prohibitory orders are in place in Sambhal till December 10. We will definitely visit once the orders are lifted. The government is afraid and trying to hide its failures."  

Congress leaders accused the BJP government of suppressing dissent. 

The UP Congress in a post on X said, "Though the BJP government, through conspiracy and misuse of power, has prevented the Congressmen under the leadership of State President Shri @kashikirai ji to go to Sambhal, we will continue to fight against the violence that took place there due to their conspiracy!   The Congress Party will expose the conspiracy of the BJP behind the violence in Sambhal and bring out its true face before the public. This state cannot run at all with the slogan 'batenge toh katenge'."

Tensions In Sambhal  

Sambhal has been tense since November 19, when a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid led to claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence broke out during a second survey on November 24, with clashes between protesters and security forces.  

Tauqeer Ahmed, the Congress' Sambhal city president, said the delegation aimed to offer condolences and appeal for peace. "The police administration is stopping everyone from coming to Sambhal. This is against democracy," he said, as per PTI.  

The BJP accused the Congress and Samajwadi Party of engaging in "political tourism." Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "If two SP goons fought among themselves, why is the Congress creating drama now?" Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak added, "Our commitment is to maintain law and order, and we will not allow anyone to disrupt peace."  

The judicial commission investigating the violence visited the affected areas on Sunday.