Rahul Gandhi Stopped at Sambhal: Solidarity Visit or Political Stunt?

On December 4, 2024, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders, attempted to visit Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a district recently affected by violence. This violence erupted on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, which was claimed to have been built on the site of a Hindu temple, resulting in clashes that left several dead and many injured.

The Uttar Pradesh police, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts the entry of outsiders until December 10, stopped the Congress delegation at the Ghazipur border. Despite Gandhi’s assertions of his constitutional right to visit the affected area and his willingness to proceed alone under police escort, the police maintained their stance, leading to significant traffic disruptions and protests from Congress supporters.

The situation has sparked a political debate, with Congress accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of suppressing dissent and the BJP countering that the visit was a political maneuver aimed at garnering Muslim votes.

The ongoing tensions in Sambhal highlight the complex interplay of law, order, and political dynamics in the region, particularly in the wake of communal violence.

Jargon

Sambhal: A district in Uttar Pradesh that has recently experienced communal violence, particularly related to a mosque survey that has sparked tensions between different community groups.
prohibitory orders: Legal restrictions imposed by authorities to prevent gatherings or movement in a specific area, often used to maintain public order during sensitive situations.
Section 163: A provision under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that allows authorities to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger, effectively restricting public gatherings.
Ghazipur border: The geographical point where Delhi meets Uttar Pradesh, often used as a checkpoint for traffic and security, especially during political events.
Shahi Jama Masjid: A Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal that has been at the center of recent controversies and violence due to claims regarding its historical significance.
court-ordered survey: A legal directive for an examination or assessment mandated by a court, often related to disputes over land or property rights.

Viewpoints 💭

‘Left’ Viewpoint

Ideological Differences

‘Right’ Viewpoint

Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to visit Sambhal is framed as a constitutional right and duty as Leader of the Opposition, emphasizing the need to support victims and uphold democratic principles.
The Congress party criticizes the BJP government for using police power to suppress opposition voices and prevent transparency regarding the violence in Sambhal.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders argue that the prohibitory orders are a misuse of power, aimed at preventing the truth from reaching the public.
The left accuses the BJP of politicizing the situation to divert attention from governance failures and communal tensions exacerbated by the mosque survey.
Congress leaders demand a judicial inquiry into the violence, questioning the BJP’s motives and highlighting the need for accountability and justice for the victims.

The left views Rahul Gandhi’s visit as a constitutional duty to uphold democratic rights and support victims, while the right sees it as a political maneuver to gain votes.
Congress accuses the BJP of suppressing dissent and transparency, whereas the BJP argues that the prohibitory orders are essential for maintaining law and order.
The left demands a judicial inquiry into the violence, questioning the BJP’s motives, while the right emphasizes the need for ongoing investigations and judicial processes to proceed without interference.
The left frames the police action as a misuse of power to prevent the truth from reaching the public, while the right justifies it as necessary to prevent further communal tensions.
Congress leaders criticize the BJP for exacerbating communal tensions, while the BJP accuses Congress of politicizing the situation for electoral gains, particularly among the Muslim community.

The BJP and UP government justify the prohibitory orders and police action as necessary measures to maintain law and order in a sensitive communal situation.
Right-wing leaders accuse Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using the visit as a political stunt to gain sympathy and votes, particularly from the Muslim community.
The BJP emphasizes the need for restraint and criticizes the Congress for attempting to escalate tensions for political gain.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and other BJP leaders highlight the recovery of foreign-made cartridges, suggesting external influences in the violence.
The right views the Congress’s actions as undermining ongoing investigations and judicial processes, urging respect for law enforcement efforts to stabilize the region.

Prominent Voices 📣

From the ‘Left’

From the ‘Right’

Rahul Gandhi (Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha): Criticized the police for blocking his visit to Sambhal, asserting it was his constitutional right and accusing the BJP of suppressing truth and democracy. ¹ ²
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress General Secretary): Supported Rahul Gandhi’s right to visit Sambhal, condemning the police’s actions as undemocratic and questioning the state’s law and order management. ¹ ³
Ajay Rai (Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief): Condemned the police actions as a misuse of power and a threat to democracy, emphasizing the visit’s goal of fostering harmony. ⁴ ²
KC Venugopal (Congress General Secretary): Criticized the UP government’s actions, emphasizing the need for empathy and compassion in times of grief. ⁵ ⁶
Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party Chief): Criticized the UP government’s actions, suggesting the violence was a BJP conspiracy to distract from election issues. ⁵ ⁶

Jairam Ramesh (Senior Congress Leader): Described the restrictions as dictatorial and emphasized the peaceful intent of their visit to Sambhal. ² ⁷
Ram Gopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party MP): Highlighted the ongoing restrictions on opposition visits, indicating a shared challenge with Congress. ³ ⁸
Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP): Criticized the decision to stop the Congress delegation, calling it unjust and emphasizing the right of public representatives to address important issues. ⁶ ⁹
Renuka Chowdhury (Congress MP): Asserted that Congress would continue to protest against the restrictions and questioned the accountability for the situation in Sambhal. ⁶ ⁹
Manoj Jha (RJD MP): Suggested that allowing opposition visits would improve the situation, criticizing the restriction as authoritarian. ⁶ ⁹
Iqbal Mahmood (Samajwadi Party MLA): Expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and called for a high court judge-led investigation. ¹⁰ ¹¹
Dimple Yadav (SP MP): Accused the government of covering up the situation in Sambhal to prevent the truth from coming out. ⁸

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Brajesh Pathak (Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister): Defended the police’s actions, emphasizing law and order and accusing Congress of political theatrics. ¹ ⁶
Keshav Prasad Maurya (Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister): Accused Congress and SP of enacting a drama for Muslim votes, predicting their political decline. ⁶ ¹²
Giriraj Singh (Union Minister and senior BJP leader): Described the Congress delegation’s attempt to visit Sambhal as a ‘political drama’ and attributed it to frustration over recent election losses. ⁵ ¹³
Sudhanshu Trivedi (BJP National Spokesperson): Accused Gandhi of seeking media attention with his visit and not following security protocols, questioning the sincerity of his intentions. ⁹ ¹⁴
Amit Malviya (BJP IT Cell Chief): Accused the Gandhi family of communal politics and using the visit to secure Muslim votes. ⁹

Shehzad Poonawalla (BJP National Spokesperson): Argued against the political motives behind the visit, citing it as a statutory rather than constitutional right. ⁹
Rajendra Pensia (Sambhal District Magistrate): Emphasized the need to stop Rahul Gandhi at district borders to maintain order and communal sensitivity. ⁴ ¹⁵
Ajay Kumar Mishra (Ghaziabad Police Commissioner): Explained the police’s decision to stop Rahul Gandhi due to prohibitory orders and the deployment of police force. ¹⁶ ¹⁷