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Tensions flared outside the Congress office in Lucknow on Monday when scores of party workers clashed with police, as they were stopped from proceeding towards Sambhal, a district that has been rocked by recent violence.
The clash occurred after police had set up barricades outside the Congress office and the homes of several party leaders, preventing them from embarking on a planned fact-finding mission to the violence-hit area.
The incident unfolded when a Congress delegation, led by Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) chief Ajay Rai, attempted to travel to Sambhal to assess the situation, offer condolences, and advocate for peace in the wake of recent communal unrest. The delegation had been scheduled to visit the district, which has been under tension since November 19, following the controversial survey of a Mughal-era mosque in the area.
As the Congress workers, led by Rai, approached the barricades set up by the police, they were stopped by a heavy police presence, leading to heated exchanges and scuffles. Slogans were raised, and chaos ensued, with party members accusing the police of acting in an "anti-democratic" manner by obstructing their peaceful visit to Sambhal.
Ajay Rai, while speaking to reporters, condemned the police action, describing it as an attempt to suppress the Congress party’s efforts to provide support and solidarity to the people of Sambhal. "The people of Sambhal are grieving, and it is our duty to stand with them in their time of need. The government's decision to block our visit is an affront to democracy," said Rai. He further alleged that the police action was politically motivated, aimed at preventing the Congress from highlighting the issues surrounding the violence.
The situation in Sambhal has been tense ever since November 19, when a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid was carried out following claims that a Harihar temple had once existed at the site. The survey, which was conducted by archaeologists, became a flashpoint for violence, leading to widespread protests.
The situation escalated on November 24, during a second survey, when violent clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel. Tragically, four people lost their lives, and several others were injured in the ensuing violence.
In the aftermath of the clashes, the local administration had imposed restrictions on entering Sambhal, with the district officer announcing a ban until November 30. Despite these restrictions, the Congress had already announced its intention to send a delegation to the area, with the aim of offering condolences to the families of the victims, assessing the ground reality, and promoting peace in the region.
Tauqeer Ahmed, the Congress president of Sambhal city, spoke to reporters on Monday, explaining the party's stance. "Our delegation, led by Ajay Rai, was set to visit Sambhal to help restore peace and offer support to the families of those who lost their lives. We wanted to take stock of the situation and urge the authorities to work towards communal harmony," said Ahmed.
The standoff between Congress workers and the police continued for several hours, with no immediate resolution in sight. While the police maintained that the restrictions were imposed for maintaining law and order, Congress leaders remained defiant, insisting that their visit was aimed at restoring peace in a region currently grappling with communal strife.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the Congress delegation will be able to visit Sambhal in the coming days, with tensions continuing to simmer both in Lucknow and the violence-affected district.
