Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi MP and other Congress leaders from Uttar Pradesh, will visit violence-hit Sambhal on December 4, the party said.

The visit comes amid restrictions on entry of outsiders imposed by the district administration until December 10, following last month’s violence during a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid that killed five people.

On December 3, district magistrate of Sambhal, Rajendra Pensia wrote to the police commissioners of neighbouring Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad districts and the superintendents of police of Amroha and Bulandshahr districts, urging them to stop Rahul Gandhi at the borders of their districts during the visit.

“On November 24, a remaining survey was conducted, following which members of the Muslim community staged massive protests involving gunfire, stone-pelting, and arson. As a result, the situation in Sambhal district has become extremely sensitive. Until December 10, the entry of any external individuals, social organisations, or public representatives into Sambhal district is restricted without prior approval from the competent authority. Prohibitory orders have been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,” the Sambhal DM said in the letter.

On November 24, violence erupted during a court-ordered ASI survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 500-year old mosque in Sambhal, leading to the death of five people. The mosque is protected by the Archaeological Survey of Indiaf Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi Ji be ensured, and appropriate arrangements be made to prevent him from entering the boundaries of the district. Kindly direct the concerned authorities to take necessary action in this regard,” he added.

Moradabad’s divisional commissioner, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, said that the administration is urging Gandhi to postpone his visit.

“The District Magistrate has imposed restrictions on the arrival of outsiders in Sambhal until December 10. This measure aims to maintain peace and prevent the currently stabilising situation from escalating again. While the situation is under control, tensions remain, and the presence of outsiders could provoke further disturbances. This decision was based on assessments by the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police,” Singh said.

Akhilesh Slams BJP

Speaking in Lok Sabha on December 3, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the incident was a ‘well-planned conspiracy’ of the saffron party to distract the public from more pressing issues.

Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country.

The formerchief minister of Uttar Pradeshwinter session of Parliament.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on December 3 lashed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over recent violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh alleging that the incident was a ‘well-planned conspiracy’ of the saffron party to distract the public from other, more pressing issues.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh accused the administration and police of Sambhal of acting in a biased manner, suggesting that they were behaving as though they were BJP party workers rather than impartial authorities.

On November 24, violence erupted during a court-ordered ASI survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 500-year old mosque in Sambhal leading to death of five people. The mosque is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI),

“Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country,” Yadav said on Lok Sabha speaking during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.

‘Well-planned conspiracy’

“The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy…By-elections were supposed to be held in Uttar Pradesh on November 13 but it was deferred to November 20. This government (BJP) does not believe in the Constitution. A petition was filed against Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. An order for a survey of the mosque was passed even before listening to the other side. On November 19, the survey was conducted and the report was to be given to the Court,” Yadav said.

Uttar Pradesh is ruled by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government.

On November 29, the Supreme Court, while hearing a plea challenging a court order that allowed the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on directed the petitioners to approach the High Court for resolution of the matter.

“On November 24, another survey was conducted, during which people gathered to know the reason for the survey. Circle Officer abused the people gathered there and lathi charge was done. After this, police opened fire with their govt and private weapons, during which dozens were injured and 5 innocents were killed,” Yadav said.

Yadav also demanded that action should be taken against the district administration and police of Sambhal. “A murder case should be filed against police and administration and they should be suspended so that people can get justice and such an incident is not repeated in future,”

The Winter Session of Parliament that began on November 25 has been unable to function smoothly due to relentless protests over Adani bribery charges and violence in Sambhal. The proceedings continued without any ruckus for the first time on Tuesday.

Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country.

Parliament Winter Session: Some Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha affiliated to the Congress and other opposition parties have expressed reservations over the continued stalling of the Parliament over Adani bribery charges in the ongoing winter session.

The proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were washed out in first week of the Parliament’s Winter Session ending November 29, marred by protests by the Opposition over a host of issues including the Adani bribery case, Manipur, and violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the fourthWinter Session of ParliamentRahul Gandhi has been at the forefront of protests on Adani issue. The Raebareli MP, has sought the arrest of Adani over recent charges.

Last month, Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men, and seven others were indicted for fraud by US prosecutors over their alleged roles in a $265 million schemeAdani GroupNarendra Modi-led Union government has listed 16 bills for the for the session, which ends on December 20. Five of these bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passage, while 10 are for consideration and passage, according to the bulletin of the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Winter Session 2024 Bills

The only business the Lok Sabha could do last week was taking up some questions and the adoption of extension of deadline for the Joint Parliamentary Panel (JPC), which is examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.BJP MP, Jagdambika Pal, moved the motion and which was adopted by the Lok Sabha.

The other bills for consideration and passage in the upcoming session include the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill.

The bills listed for introduction also include the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, which seeks to establish Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya.

The Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, to enhance the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi District Courts from the existing ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh, is also listed for introduction in the Winter Session of Parliament.