Rahul Gandhi to visit violence-hit Sambhal today?

A vehicle burns after being allegedly set on fire by locals in protest during a second survey of the Jama Masjid, claimed to be originally the site of an ancient Hindu temple, in Sambhal, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (PTI)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit violence-hit Sambhal today. Senior Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said that Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, left for the Uttar Pradesh town directly from Parliament.

However, as par latest update by news agency ANI, Gandhi is still in Delhi. Reports suggest that Gandhi is attending Constitution Day programme at Talkatora stadium. Earlier in the day, Saharanpur lawmaker Imran Masood had also said that Gandhi will be visiting Sambhal soon. Four people died in the violence following the court-mandated survey of Mughal-era Jama Masjid on Sunday. While no fresh incident of clashes has been reported so far, administration has clamped ban on mobile internet and entry of any outsider in the area.

We are not allowed to visit Sambhal: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party president slammed the state government on the issue and said that his party leaders are not being allowed to visit Sambhal. Talking to media in New Delhi on the occasion of Constitution Day, Yadav said, “How can celebrations be held in the shadow of grief?. False cases are being filed against the MP there, the MLA there and his son. If there is any fault, it is the government's. When the survey had already been done, why to do it again?”

He also said that role of BJP workers also need to be probed. “were not against the survey but the people who were shouting slogans behind the team during the survey, was any action taken against them? Were there any BJP workers with the survey team who were instigating people? Were they arrested? Will they be sent to jail,” Yadav was quoted as assaying by news agency ANI.