Lucknow - The Samajwadi Party (SP) will raise concerns about rising communal tensions in Uttar Pradesh during the state Assembly's Winter session, scheduled for Monday, December 16. Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mata Prasad Pandey announced that the party will specifically highlight the situation in Sambhal and hold the government accountable for any attempts to disrupt communal harmony.

Pandey told reporters, "Tomorrow, we will give notice to the government regarding the communal incidents taking place and the efforts being made to disrupt harmony through riots. We will hold the government accountable for these incidents. Tomorrow, we are expected to witness significant uproar in the session."

His comments come in response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks on the discovery of a 400-year-old Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple in Sambhal. The temple, closed since 1978, was uncovered during an inspection for encroachment and electricity theft.

Adityanath questioned the timing of the temple's discovery and the lack of justice for victims of alleged violence during the period of its closure. He accused previous governments of neglecting faith and heritage, asking, "Why have the culprits responsible for the massacre in Sambhal 46 years ago not been punished? Why is there no discussion about the innocent lives lost back then? What was the fault of those who were brutally killed in Sambhal 46 years ago?"

Pandey questioned why the Chief Minister was only now speaking about the temple's discovery. He asked, "The Chief Minister spoke, and he has the right to do so. But why has the temple only been found now? Was it excavated, or was it already there and only recently recognised?"

The LoP reiterated the Samajwadi Party's commitment to fighting all forms of injustice, stating, "The Samajwadi Party will fight against all forms of injustice, across all communities, and will raise issues concerning the public, such as unemployment, farmers' grievances, or any other injustices."

Pandey also criticized the government for deflecting from key issues like unemployment and farmers' distress by focusing on religious issues. He said, "The biggest issue in the country today is unemployment. Farmers are facing numerous challenges, and to divert attention from these, the government is engaging in distractions. Why is the government afraid to answer the concerns of a state with 25 crore people?"