Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the Sambhal violence was a government conspiracy.
He claimed that the Sambhal incident was not a communal riot but a planned act by the district administration, leading to the death of five people.
Addressing a press conference here, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of inciting violence in Sambhal, where innocent people were allegedly tortured.
“When the SP delegation attempted to visit Sambhal, it was stopped by the authorities. What was the government trying to hide?” he questioned, adding that the incident was a deliberate attempt to disrupt communal harmony.
Yadav alleged that, as a cover-up exercise, innocent people were being framed in fake cases.
“The entire incident was planned by the government and executed through the district officials. What was the tearing hurry for conducting the survey, even as the Places of Worship Act 1991 prohibits such a survey?” he said.
“The survey was conducted as part of a well-planned conspiracy, leading to violence,” he added.
He further criticised the BJP for its alleged lack of concern for human life, stating: “Life holds no value for them. This is a heartless party, devoid of sympathy. Justice and public grievances have no place in this government.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, also presented a report on the Sambhal violence, alleging that tensions were deliberately escalated over a mosque survey. He accused the BJP of orchestrating the incident, stating that the survey team included BJP members and that the police used disproportionate force.
“Instead of using tear gas, they opened fire, attempting to disrupt the communal harmony of the state,” he said.
Pandey questioned the need for the survey, pointing to the Places of Worship Act, which prohibits such actions.
“This entire incident was part of a government conspiracy,” he claimed.
The violence in Sambhal had erupted on November 24 when a team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) visited the Shahi Jama Masjid for the survey.
The SP chief also targeted the BJP on issues of corruption and injustice, particularly against the PDA (backward, Dalit, and minority communites).
“Even BJP members are accusing each other of corruption. There is internal conflict within their politics in Delhi and Lucknow,” he claimed.
Commenting on electoral malpractice, he alleged that the administration played a role in manipulating elections.
Referring to the by-elections for nine UP assembly seats, he said, “People were not allowed to vote freely, with police officers stationed at places to stop people from going to polling booths. The media should visit Milkipur to witness first-hand how elections are conducted under this government.”
Alluding to the presence of saints and sages at the Kumbh, Yadav indirectly criticised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
“I pray to the saints to take a companion with them when they leave. Many individuals are involved in activities they should not be, which impacts both their work and others,” he remarked.
He also raised concerns about the alleged negligence of the government regarding an MLA’s claim about cow slaughter.
“The BJP MLA says 50,000 cows are being slaughtered. If true, what is the Sanatani chief minister doing? If the MLA is wrong, why hasn’t the government addressed this?” he questioned.
He also accused the government of allowing the demolition of an ASI-protected building in Agra.
“The building was demolished by someone close to officials, seeking to expand their business,” Yadav alleged, criticising the administration for its inaction.
