What are the political implications of Rahul Gandhi's visit to Hathras amidst the Sambhal row?

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Thursday headed to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, a day after the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha along with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi paid a visit to the families of five people who died in the Sambhal violence on November 24.

Security arrangements were amped up in Boolgarhi village as he might meet the family of the 2020 rape victim.

Reacting to his visit, state deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said, "Rahul Gandhi, you have a feeling of despair, you are a victim of frustration. You do not even know that the CBI has investigated Hathras case. The case is going on in the court...Today Uttar Pradesh is moving ahead rapidly to become the number 1 state in terms of infrastructure, in terms of law and order. The law and order of Uttar Pradesh is discussed in the whole nation. Today we can say that industrial revolution is coming in Uttar Pradesh."

"Whereas you want to throw Uttar Pradesh into the fire of anarchy, in the fire of riots, you want to incite people. Please do not do this, I request you that Uttar Pradesh is getting ready to become the number 1 state in the whole nation," he added.

What is the significance of Rahul Gandhi's visit to Hathras in the midst of the Sambhal controversy?

Rahul had met the family in 2020 and had also accused the Yogi Adityanath-government of "exploitation" and unleashing "atrocities" on the victim's family.

"See, #Hathras what kind of exploitation and atrocities the victim's family had to face at the hands of the UP government. It is very important for every Indian to know the truth about the injustice done to him," he had said in a post on X.

Exactly four years after the brutal murder and alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras on September 14, 2020, her family has yet to immerse her ashes, stating they are still waiting for justice. In an interview with TOI, the family expressed their frustration, saying they continue to live in "jail-like conditions" with restrictions on their movement and social interactions, while being surrounded by security personnel 24/7.

The family also highlighted that promises made by the government, such as providing a job for a family member and a house, have remained unfulfilled. They further expressed their disappointment over the legal proceedings, with three of the accused being acquitted and only one sentenced to life imprisonment. According to the family, the release of the alleged perpetrators has denied them justice.