Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Blocked at Ghazipur Border Amid Tense Sambhal Visit Plan

Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were stopped at Delhi’s Ghazipur border en route to Sambhal, where recent violence erupted over a mosque survey. The move, citing security concerns, led to traffic congestion and sparked criticism from the Congress leaders, who asserted their right to visit affected families despite extended prohibitory orders.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra faced police barricades at Delhi’s Ghazipur border on Wednesday while en route to violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. Their attempt to visit the district, which recently witnessed deadly clashes over a court-mandated mosque survey, sparked a massive traffic jam on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, criticized the move, asserting his constitutional right to visit Sambhal. “This is against the rights of the Leader of Opposition. We want to meet the affected families in Sambhal, but we’re being stopped. This reflects the current state of democracy,” he remarked.

The Uttar Pradesh administration had earlier extended prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Sambhal, banning outsiders from entering the district until December 31. The decision followed violent clashes on November 24, which left four dead and several injured. These incidents were triggered by a second survey of a Mughal-era mosque amid claims it was once a Hindu temple site.

The police cited communal sensitivities as the reason for blocking the Congress leaders. Heavy security deployment at the border led to a major traffic snarl, affecting commuters. Congress workers gathered in large numbers, expressing solidarity and demanding the leaders be allowed to proceed.

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The Sambhal District Magistrate had instructed authorities in neighboring districts to prevent the Gandhis’ entry, citing potential unrest. Despite the blockade, the Congress delegation vowed to continue their efforts to reach Sambhal and meet affected families.