Lucknow, May 15 (PTI) Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Friday questioned the Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s silence regarding the alleged objectionable remarks made against Brahmins by an SP spokesperson Rajkumar Bhati.
She said the leadership silence is causing the matter to escalate and assume greater gravity.
In a post on X in Hindi, Mayawati said, “The widespread outrage and vehement condemnation regarding the indecent, unseemly, and objectionable remarks directed at the Brahmin community made by a prominent national spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party, are entirely natural. However, the silence of the SP leadership known for engaging in narrow, caste-based politics on this matter, is further exacerbating and significantly escalating the situation. The situation is also becoming increasingly tense.” The BSP chief said, “Taking a serious note of the hurt inflicted upon the honour and self-respect of the Brahmin community by the irresponsible statement of the SP spokesperson, it would likely be appropriate for the SP chief to take immediate cognisance of the matter, offer an apology and express remorse to the Brahmin community.” She said this recent episode has demonstrated to the public that the SP’s casteist tactics and character –hostile towards the Brahmin community, just as they are towards Dalits, the Most Backward Classes, and the Muslim community — have not changed.
“In fact, this attitude has only deepened. Moreover, the intense resentment currently brewing within the Brahmin community regarding the present government’s attitude towards them is no secret to anyone,” she said.
She remarked that it is a well-known fact that the BSP, true to its commitment to all sections of society, has accorded the Brahmin community and others immense respect within both the party and the government, while also ensuring their due representation at every level.
In other words, the BSP does not subscribe to a “use-and-throw” policy; rather, the interests of all sections of society have always remained secure under it, she said.
Police in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh booked Bhati on Tuesday under Section 196(1) (promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion) of the BNS. This action followed a complaint lodged by BJP leader Ajay Sharma at the Kavinagar police station regarding Bhati’s alleged derogatory remarks against Brahmins during the May 5 event at Jawahar Bhawan in Delhi, the officials said.
Sharma sought strict action against Bhati for hurting his religious sentiments.
In a viral video, Bhati can be heard saying, “Neither a Brahmin is good, nor is a courtesan.” However, after the video sparked outrage, Bhati apologised and said certain parts of his speech were selectively excerpted and used to spread malicious propaganda.
Officials said another FIR was registered against Bhati at the Noida Sector 24 police station on a complaint filed by Sushil Kumar, a resident of Noida, on Wednesday. PTI AR NAV ASD ASD
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