New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was stopped by police at Ghazipur border near Delhi while he was trying to visit violence-hit Sambhal in neghbouring Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.
Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other senior Congress leaders reached the Ghazipur border amid heavy security arrangements in place to stop them from entering Sambhal.
While speaking to journalists at Ghazipur border, Gandhi said, “As the leader of the opposition, it is my constitutional right. I should have been allowed.”
#WATCH | At the Ghazipur border, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says “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… pic.twitter.com/iFWMQRKmk3
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024
“I am ready to go alone to Sambhal with police but I am not being allowed,” added Gandhi.
Congress’ Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Rahul ji is on a constitutional post and has the constitutional right. He should be allowed to meet the victims’ families.”
Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue an order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in place in Sambhal till December 31.
Why is Sambhal in news?
Tension prevailed in Sambhal after November 19, when a Mughal-era mosque was surveyed on court orders following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site. Violence erupted here during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near Shahi Jama Masjid and clashed with security personnel. Four people were killed in the violence and many more were injured.
Massive traffic jam at Ghazipur border
A massive traffic jam was reported at the Delhi-Meerut Expressway at the Ghazipur border after hundreds of Congress workers gathered there amid heavy police deployment and barricading. The police has put up barricades and launched checking of vehicles.
