'Sambhal violence pre-planned': Akhilesh Yadav in LS; Opposition stages walkout
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New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, speaking in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, described the violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, as part of a “well-planned” conspiracy aimed at disrupting communal harmony in the region, known for its longstanding brotherhood.
He accused the BJP and its allies of making provocative statements about “digging” the area, which he said would further harm the region’s communal fabric. Yadav also linked the violence to the court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, suggesting it threatened the 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb' of the country. He called for the suspension of responsible officers and the filing of cases against them, alleging that the Sambhal administration acted impulsively.
The issue led to a brief walkout by almost the entire opposition, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, during the Lok Sabha’s Question Hour. Yadav, raising the matter, noted that “five people have lost their lives,” prompting the Speaker to allow discussion during the Zero Hour. Yadav and his colleagues walked out in protest, with some SP members chanting slogans in the Well of the House. DMK member A Raja urged other opposition MPs to join the protest, which saw support from NCP, Shiv Sena-UBT, and Congress members.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju approached Yadav to discuss the issue, but after a while, Yadav signaled for his party's MPs to leave. The opposition members, including Rahul Gandhi, staged a walkout and later returned to join the ongoing Question Hour.
The SP leader also criticized the government, asserting that it does not uphold the Constitution. The violence erupted on November 24, following a court order on November 19 for a survey of the mosque by an advocate commissioner, based on a Hindu side plea alleging that the mosque, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526, was erected after the demolition of a temple. The clashes led to the deaths of five people and left many others injured.
With PTI inputs
