New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav, accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and SP MPs, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to address concerns about alleged police brutality in Sambhal. The meeting took place on Monday, with Mr. Yadav holding the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government responsible for the violence.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Akhilesh Yadav criticised the filing of an FIR against SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, stating, “Our MP wasn’t even present in Sambhal. Why has an FIR been filed against him? Young lives have been lost, and information is being withheld. I previously mentioned that Naeem was killed due to police firing. The videos are available for all to see.”
Mr. Yadav also questioned the procedures related to a controversial survey conducted in the area. “The court ordered the survey without hearing the other side. Officials, without fully understanding the order, conducted the survey with the cooperation of the masjid’s committee, Ulama, and people’s representatives. However, a second survey was ordered, leading to tensions. When people asked why this was needed, a circle officer abused them,” he said.
Zia-ur-Rehman Barq, the SP MP from Sambhal, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Under the leadership of Shri Akhilesh Yadav, we apprised the Lok Sabha Speaker of the police and administration’s brutality. A murder case must be filed against the responsible officials to ensure justice for the victim’s families and to prevent such incidents in the future. The harassment in the name of further action should stop immediately.”
Rahul Gandhi expressed his concerns in a detailed post on X, accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of acting in a “biased” and “hasty” manner. Offering condolences to the families of the victims, he held the BJP-led government directly responsible for the incident.
“The BJP’s misuse of power to sow divisions between Hindu and Muslim communities is harmful to both the State and the nation. I urge the Supreme Court to intervene and deliver justice at the earliest,” Mr. Gandhi wrote.
He also called for peace and unity, emphasizing, “India must move forward on the path of unity and constitutional values, not communalism and hatred.”
