By Kuldeep Singh Yadav
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has voiced strong criticism against the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh over the controversial Sambhal violence and its alleged connection to Pakistan-made cartridges. Yadav accused the BJP of deliberately fostering unrest and manipulating the state’s police machinery to serve its political interests rather than uphold justice and development.
In a scathing statement, Akhilesh Yadav said that the Uttar Pradesh Police had been “spoiled” by the BJP government. Highlighting the ongoing leadership crisis in the state police force, he remarked, “There is an acting DGP (Director General of Police) in Uttar Pradesh, and there is a fight over who will occupy the position permanently.” Yadav alleged that such administrative instability reflected the BJP’s inefficiency and its focus on divisive tactics rather than progress.
The controversy stems from the violence that erupted in Sambhal during a dispute over a court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid and Harihar Temple premises. Following the violence, the Uttar Pradesh Police claimed to have discovered six empty cartridges at the site, allegedly manufactured in Pakistan. Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi stated that one cartridge also bore markings indicating it was “Made in USA.”
This revelation has sparked serious concerns. According to Vishnoi, the incident is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), supported by forensic teams and advanced equipment like HHMD metal detectors. Additionally, local municipal teams have joined the investigation, which includes recovering DVRs from damaged CCTV cameras at the site.
The court order that led to the survey claimed that the current location of the Jama Masjid was once the site of a Harihar temple. The survey itself, conducted on November 19, has added to tensions in the area.
Reacting to these developments, Akhilesh Yadav asserted that the Sambhal violence was orchestrated to distract from key governance issues. He accused the BJP of manipulating such incidents to divide communities for political gain. “The Bharatiya Janata Party deliberately creates such an environment. They do not want to make decisions for progress, prosperity, and development,” Yadav said.
He further questioned the police’s accountability, alleging that the force had become a tool for the BJP to trap individuals instead of providing justice. His comments also pointed to the presence of foreign-made weapons and cartridges within the police’s arsenal, which he implied could raise doubts about their origin and use.
The discovery of Pakistan-made cartridges adds a sensitive international dimension to the Sambhal violence. If proven, it could lead to questions about cross-border involvement in local unrest. However, Yadav’s critique suggests that such claims might also be used to serve a narrative that aligns with the BJP’s political strategy.
The situation highlights broader concerns about communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh. With the SP and BJP often at loggerheads over issues of law and order, the Sambhal violence has become another flashpoint in the state’s polarized political landscape.
As investigations proceed, the findings are likely to have significant political and social implications. Whether they vindicate the UP Police’s claims or align with Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations of deliberate polarization remains to be seen. However, the incident underscores the urgent need for unbiased law enforcement and a commitment to justice over political expediency.
