In the wake of recent violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the state government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, of sowing divisions while in power and urged the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the matter and deliver justice. The violence, which erupted on Sunday, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left several others, including police and administrative personnel, injured. The violence stemmed from protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in the region.
In a post on the social media platform X, Priyanka Gandhi condemned the handling of the situation by the Uttar Pradesh government. She said, “The attitude of the state government regarding the sudden dispute in Sambhal is very unfortunate. The way the administration acted in haste in such a sensitive matter without listening to the other side or taking both parties into confidence shows that the government itself spoiled the atmosphere there.” Gandhi also pointed out that the administration had failed to follow the proper procedures and duties in dealing with the situation, which she described as an avoidable escalation.
The Congress leader further emphasised that the government’s actions of “spreading discrimination, oppression, and division” while in power were detrimental to the interests of the people and the nation as a whole. She called on the Supreme Court to intervene and ensure justice. “The honourable Supreme Court should take cognisance of the matter and do justice,” she said, adding a plea for the public to maintain peace in the region.
The violence occurred after protests broke out against the survey of the mosque, which had been ordered by the court as part of an investigation into the site’s historical and religious significance. During the protests, clashing groups engaged with police forces, resulting in the tragic deaths of three men—Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman—who were all around 25 years old. In addition to the fatalities, several individuals, including security personnel and district officials, were injured in the skirmishes. According to officials, shots were fired by unidentified miscreants, leading to injuries among police officers and administrative staff.
Deputy Inspector General of Police for Moradabad, Muniraj, confirmed that the three deceased individuals had been buried, and added that the violence had led to injuries to at least 15 to 20 security personnel. Among the injured were the Superintendent of Police’s PRO, who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, and the Circle Officer, who was hit by pellets. A constable sustained a severe head injury, and the Deputy Collector broke his leg.
In response to the unrest, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in Sambhal and barred outsiders from entering the district until November 30. Internet services were also suspended for 24 hours to prevent the spread of inflammatory content, and schools in the district were declared closed for the day. These measures were taken to restore order and prevent further escalation of the situation.
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The Congress party has strongly criticised the Yogi Adityanath government for the violence, accusing it of being directly responsible for the deaths. The party has alleged that the BJP and its affiliate, the RSS, were guilty of “setting fire” to peace and harmony in the region. Congress leaders pointed to videos that appeared to show police officers firing directly at protesters, describing them as evidence of a “well-planned conspiracy” orchestrated by the Adityanath government and the BJP-RSS.
In the face of these accusations, the opposition has called for an independent inquiry into the events, demanding that the truth be uncovered and that the responsible parties be held accountable. The Congress has also urged the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter and ensure that justice is served, emphasising the need for impartiality in the investigation.
As tensions remain high in Sambhal, with the situation still under close scrutiny, the call for judicial oversight and intervention in the matter is likely to intensify. Priyanka Gandhi’s appeal to the Supreme Court signals the opposition’s growing frustration with what they view as the Yogi Adityanath government’s failure to maintain law and order in the state. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the state government can restore peace and ensure that justice is served to the victims of this violent incident.
