Rahul Gandhi tears into UP police for blocking him, Priyanka from entering violence-hit Sambhal

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Dec 4 slammed Uttar Pradesh police for stopping him from visiting the violence-hit Sambhal city and alleged police denied him his constitutional right as LoP to meet the victims.

Gandhi said UP police stopped his fleet of vehicles at the Ghazipur border and did not allow him to go ahead even after he told police he was ready to relinquish his convoy and go to Sambhal alone with them.

"We are trying to go to Sambhal, but the police are refusing, they are not allowing us. As LoP, it is my right to go, but they are stopping me. I was ready to go alone and go with the police, but they did not accept that either.” Gandhi was quoted as saying at the Ghazipur border.

“They are saying that if we return in a few days, they will let us go. This is against the rights of the LoP and the Constitution. We just want to go to Sambhal and see what happened there, we want to meet the people. My constitutional right is not being given to me. This is the new India to end Ambedkar's Constitution. We will keep fighting," he added.

Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who accompanied him said Gandhi has the right to meet the victims of the violence.

"Whatever happened in Sambhal is wrong. He is the leader of the opposition and has the constitutional right to meet the victims. He cannot be stopped like this. He even said that he would go alone with the UP police but they are not ready to do that either.” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

“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?" she asked.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said Congress leaders were trying to politicize the Sambhal violence. He appealed to the politicians to not spoil the law and order of the state.

"Sadly, they are trying to politicize the Sambhal case. Please do not spoil the law and order of UP. Your visit is spoiling the atmosphere there…. Cartridge shells that came from Pakistan have been recovered there and the matter is being investigated. Whoever is involved in this will not be spared,” Brajesh was quoted as saying.

“UP has changed now. It needs development and law and order. They will not be able to divide UP... Whenever there is a big disturbance, the police impose Section 144, under which a crowd cannot gather until peace is restored. As long as the section is in place, Congress should not attempt such acts there," he added.

Four people died and scores were injured in clashes on Nov 24 after a mob pelted stones at a team of officials surveying a Mughal-era mosque.

The survey was ordered by a local court in response to a plea that claimed a Hindu temple had been demolished for the construction of the mosque.

BJP spokesperson Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi described the visit as a “sign of helplessness” on Rahul Gandhi’s part. “This is not about sympathy for the victims. It’s a compulsion borne out of the Congress’ failure to hold the INDI alliance together and the ongoing rivalry with SP to reclaim their core vote bank. Rahul Gandhi’s actions are nothing more than a formality for media attention,” Trivedi said during a press briefing.

Referring to the ongoing winter session of Parliament, Trivedi said that there is disunity within the Congress-led opposition bloc. “Forty-two notices under Rule 267 were filed yesterday on nine different topics, clearly exposing the fractured approach of the INDI alliance. Instead of focusing on governance, Rahul Gandhi is engaging in theatrics to stay relevant,” he alleged.