Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Barred from Entering Violence-Hit Sambhal At Ghazipur Border

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi were stopped at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Wednesday as they attempted to visit the violence-hit Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress leaders, accompanied by party workers and MPs, were intercepted by police officials citing the fragile law and order situation in Sambhal. The siblings had planned to meet victims and bereaved families in the area, which has been under heavy security following recent clashes.

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Backdrop of the Violence
Their visit comes nearly two weeks after violence erupted in Sambhal during a survey at the Jama Masjid mosque. The incident led to the deaths of five youths and sparked widespread criticism of the Yogi Adityanath government for its handling of law and order in the state.

The violence was triggered by a court-mandated survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to investigate claims that the site of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid was originally a Hindu temple.

Congress Appeals for Access
After being stopped at the Ghazipur border, the Congress delegation urged police to permit a smaller party team to proceed to Sambhal. They emphasized the need to meet with affected families and assess the ground situation firsthand.

Sambhal has remained under strict security measures since the November 24 clashes. Prohibitory orders have been imposed, and non-residents have been barred from entering the area until December 10 to prevent further unrest.

Political Reactions Intensify
The Congress leaders’ attempt to visit the town follows similar efforts by a Samajwadi Party delegation, which was also denied entry. The restrictions have fueled political tensions, with opposition leaders accusing the government of stifling accountability.

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal condemned the decision to block the Gandhi siblings, describing it as inhumane.

“It is basic humanity to stand by someone who has suffered such grief and loss. Rahul ji’s motto has been ‘Nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukaan.’ And when the ruling regime has created an atmosphere of hatred, it is our duty as the Opposition to bring compassion, empathy, and love,” Venugopal said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

We are trying to go to Sambhal, the police is refusing, they are not allowing us. As LoP, it is my right to go, but they are stopping me. I am ready to go alone, I am ready to go with the police, but they did not accept that too. They are saying that if we come back in a few days then they will let us go. This is against the rights of the LoP and against 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, this is the India to end the Constitution. This is the India to end Ambedkar’s Constitution. We will keep fighting,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The incident has once again put the spotlight on the growing political divide over sensitive communal issues, with Sambhal’s unrest serving as a flashpoint for renewed debates on governance and public accountability in Uttar Pradesh.