‘Sambhal violence pre-planned’, charges Akhilesh Yadav in Lok Sabha; Rahul Gandhi likely to visit UP tomorrow

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav charged the clashes that erupted over the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal were pre-planned and demanded a thorough probe into the issue. Yadav alleged the attacks were aimed at disturbing the communal harmony in the region.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Yadav charged, “The incident that took place was a planned conspiracy. The BJP and its allies have been talking about digging and their repeated talks of digging (the area) will hurt the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of the country,” PTI reported quoting the Uttar Pradesh leader. Yadav said Sambhal is a place known for religious harmony and brotherhood and the survey ordered by the lower court could hurt this. The Samajwadi Party leader added the talks of excavation done by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies across the country will destroy the nation’s brotherhood.

Yadav also charged the district administration acted in haste following the lower court’s order and demanded action against them. He said a case for murder must be registered against the police and district administration officials and they must be suspended.

The opposition members, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, staged a brief walkout from the house over the issue. Meanwhile, Gandhi is likely to travel to Sambhal on Wednesday and meet the kin of deceased who died in the clashes.

Clashes erupted in Sambhal on November 24 after a survey team visited the Mughal-era mosque following the local court’s orders. Five persons died in the clashes and over 20 persons including police suffered injuries. The Uttar Pradesh government appointed a three-member judicial commission to probe whether the attacks were pre-planned.