"I am deeply saddened to hear of clashes in Saharanpur. Violence, divisiveness and hatred have no place in our country. This politics of hatred must end. I appeal to every one to remain calm and refrain from fanning communal passions," Gandhi said in a statement here.
Two persons were killed and at least 12 others injured in a violent clash which broke out between two communities over a land dispute in UP's Saharanpur, prompting authorities to impose curfew in the district.
"In the little over two months that they have been in power, the country has seen flare-ups, tensions, destruction of places of worship, not only in UP but in different parts of the country. The right has now assumed a threatening posture which militates against our composite culture and secular fabric."
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today directed senior state home department officials to handle with a firm hand the situation in Saharanpur and in Moradabad, where Congress, BJP and VHP had planned political meetings today.