Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped at the Ghazipur border between Delhi and Noida on their way to violence-hit Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The leaders, accompanied by Congress MP Imran Masood and others, had left Delhi at around 10:15 a.m. and reached the border by 11:00 a.m.
Rahul Gandhi was seen exiting his vehicle to engage with senior police officers, but the authorities denied them permission to proceed. The situation escalated as Congress workers confronted the police at the border, leading to chaos and traffic disruptions on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Barricades were erected, and vehicles were thoroughly checked to prevent the Congress convoy from entering Sambhal.
Sambhal district authorities had earlier requested neighboring districts, including Ghaziabad, Amroha, Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, to intercept the Congress leaders. The restrictions follow a violent clash over a survey at the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, based on a petition alleging the site was once a Hindu temple. The unrest led to the invocation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (formerly Section 144), prohibiting gatherings of five or more people in Sambhal.
The Congress delegation’s attempt to enter the restricted area drew sharp criticism from party leaders. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the restrictions, calling them a reflection of “dictatorship.” The Gandhis, along with five Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh, had intended to visit Sambhal to address the situation despite the imposed curbs.
The Uttar Pradesh Police justified the measures, citing the need to prevent further escalation of violence and ensure public safety. However, the Congress criticized the administration’s actions as an attempt to stifle democratic opposition.
The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions in Sambhal and the political friction over handling the situation.
