BJP labeled Akhilesh Yadav a 'Namazwadi' over his alleged meeting in a New Delhi mosque. The SP denied the allegations and accused the BJP of religious polarization. Akhilesh said, "The BJP only knows how to divide."
Akhilesh Masjid Meeting: Politics in Uttar Pradesh has once again heated up over the issue of religion and faith. The BJP has bly objected to the alleged meeting of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav in a mosque in New Delhi. The SP has also reacted sharply to this.
BJP's Allegation: Disregard for the Constitution
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak targeted Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, calling him a "Namazwadi." He said that the Indian Constitution does not allow the political use of religious places. Pathak told ANI, "The Samajwadi Party and its leaders always violate the Constitution. They have no faith in the Constitution."
Pathak alleges that Akhilesh Yadav held a political meeting in a mosque located on Sansad Marg, which is against the spirit of the Constitution. He said, "Religious places cannot be used for political activities."
SP's Response: BJP is diverting from issues
Responding to these allegations from the BJP, SP MP Rajeev Rai said that the BJP should first pay attention to the viral videos of its own leaders. He asked, "Do we now have to take a license from the BJP to go to a mosque or a temple? Will the BJP decide who can go where?"
Rajeev Rai also said that the BJP never questions the activities of its leaders in public places, but does not miss any opportunity to target opposition leaders.
Akhilesh Yadav's Clarification
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, while speaking on this entire controversy, said that the BJP wants to divide people in the country. He said, "Faith works to unite. But the BJP wants people not to unite. We respect all religions. The BJP only uses religion as a weapon." The SP has always been in favor of inclusive politics and such allegations are actually an attempt to divert the public from the real issues.
Allegation of making the mosque a 'party office'
Amidst this controversy, Jamal Siddiqui, National President of BJP Minority Morcha, accused SP MP Mohibullah Nadvi of using the mosque like a party office. It should be noted that Mohibullah Nadvi is also the Imam of the mosque located on Sansad Marg.
Jamal Siddiqui said, "Using the mosque as a center for political activities is not only wrong but also an insult to religious sentiments."
SP MP's Defense
SP MP Zia Ur Rahman Barq has also given a statement on this entire controversy. He said, "No such meeting has taken place. If a meeting had to be held, it would have been held in the Parliament House or in the residences of the MPs. There is no question of a political meeting in the mosque. This controversy is being created unnecessarily."
What do the law and the Constitution say?
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution gives freedom of religion to citizens, but it also expects that religious places should be used only for religious purposes. The Supreme Court has also clarified in its decisions several times that religious places like temples, mosques, gurdwaras or churches cannot be misused for political propaganda or strategy.
