Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi were stopped at the Ghazipur border on Wednesday while attempting to visit the violence-hit Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi came out of his vehicle to discuss the matter with senior police officials but was denied permission to proceed further.
The scene at the border quickly turned chaotic as hundreds of Congress workers clashed with police, who had barricaded the highway to prevent the leaders from continuing their journey. The barricades disrupted traffic, and Congress supporters attempted to scale them in protest.
“We are trying to go to Sambhal, but the police are refusing. As Leader of the Opposition, it is my right to visit, but they are stopping me. I even offered to go alone or with the police, but they declined. They’ve told us to come back in a few days, which is a violation of my constitutional rights. We simply want to meet the people of Sambhal and understand what happened. This is an assault on the Constitution and the legacy of Ambedkar. We will keep fighting,” Rahul Gandhi reportedly said in a statement.
Priyanka Gandhi echoed his sentiments, stating, “What happened in Sambhal is unacceptable. Rahul Gandhi has the constitutional right to meet the victims, yet the police are stopping him without explanation. He even offered to go alone under police supervision, but they refused. This reflects the failure of law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Despite their claims, the state seems incapable of handling even this much.”
Authorities in Sambhal had earlier issued directives to neighboring districts, including Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Amroha, and Bulandshahr, instructing officials to prevent the Gandhis from entering the area. The District Magistrate’s communication specifically requested that they intercept the Congress leaders at the border and closely monitor Rahul Gandhi’s movements.
