Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accused the government of violating his constitutional rights after being stopped by police at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
Gandhi, accompanied by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, was en route to Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh, which has recently been impacted by violence.
Expressing his frustration on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi stated, "The police prevented us from going to Sambhal. As Leader of Opposition, it is my duty and right to visit. I even offered to go alone, but they refused. This is unconstitutional. Why is the BJP so afraid? Why use the police to conceal their failures and suppress the message of truth and unity?"
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi supported Gandhi's stance, saying, "Our intention is to promote peace and prosperity. Even in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi advocated for peace. Why does the BJP block such initiatives? When leaders want to convey a message of harmony, why are they stopped?"
The BJP justified the move, citing concerns over maintaining law and order. Union Minister Giriraj Singh dismissed Gandhi’s remarks, alleging political motives. "Rahul Gandhi wanted to stage a political drama, positioning himself as a champion of Muslims or competing with Akhilesh Yadav. They quickly react when a Muslim dies but remain silent on atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. This is frustration after the Haryana and Maharashtra elections," Singh remarked.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari emphasized the need for an impartial investigation in Sambhal, which is under court orders. "An investigation is underway in Sambhal, and no one, including political leaders, is allowed to visit. Rahul Gandhi must respect the judicial process and cooperate," Tiwari said.
The Congress party has sharply criticized the government’s decision to block Gandhi’s visit, accusing the BJP of using administrative tools to stifle opposition voices. In contrast, BJP leaders have accused the Congress of exploiting sensitive incidents for political gain.