Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated on Monday that the BJP's use of power to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims is detrimental to both the state and the country. His comments followed violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, which led to the deaths of three individuals, including security and administrative personnel. A fourth person, who was injured in the clashes, succumbed to their injuries in the hospital on Monday.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi worte, “The biased and hasty attitude of the state government on the recent dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh is extremely unfortunate. My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the violence and firing. The administration's insensitive action without listening to all parties further vitiated the situation and resulted in the death of many people - for which the BJP government is directly responsible.”
He added, "BJP's use of power to create rift and discrimination between Hindu-Muslim communities is neither in the interest of the state nor the country. I request the Supreme Court to intervene in this matter as soon as possible and provide justice."
“My appeal is to maintain peace and mutual harmony. We all have to join together to ensure that India moves forward on the path of unity and constitution, not communalism and hatred,” he further said.
Four people were killed and scores of others, including around 20 security personnel and four personnel of the administration, were injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here clashed with police, PTI reported.
The protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob.
"The miscreants fired shots... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said, as reported by PTI.
Those responsible for the violence will be charged under the National Security Act (NSA), said officials. As a precaution, internet services across the district have been suspended for a day, officials told ANI.
Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours, and the district administration has declared November 25 a holiday for all students up to Class 12.
Social media images depicted protesters throwing stones at police from rooftops and near the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police were seen allegedly cornering and assaulting individuals as they attempted to disperse a large crowd in a narrow alley.
Other visuals showed a street littered with slippers, bricks, and stones. In one video, police in riot gear were seen firing shots towards a lane, with flames and smoke rising in the background. Another clip showed Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar urging stone-throwers to stop the violence.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, stated that the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) had ordered the formation of an “Advocate Commission” to conduct a survey of the mosque. The court instructed that a report be filed after carrying out videography and photography during the survey.
On Sunday, Jain appealed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take control of the "temple."
Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer representing the Hindu side, claimed that a temple that once stood at the site was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529.
(With inputs from agencies)
