Often we see leaders saying things that make people angry or shocked. This time, it is about religion and caste in Uttar Pradesh. A senior leader of the Samajwadi Party, Shivraj Singh Yadav, has said something very big. He said that “Yadavs are not Hindus.” This comment has started a huge controversy everywhere.
Shivraj Singh Yadav is very close to the party chief Akhilesh Yadav. He was speaking at a public meeting called “PDA Pathshala” in a village in Sirsaganj. While talking to the people, he said he does not follow a religion that treats a human being worse than a dog. He was attacking the old caste system where some people are treated as lower than others.
Why he said Yadavs are not Hindus?
The leader explained his point very simply. He talked about the four parts of the caste system. He said, “We are not Brahmins. We are not Kshatriyas. We are not Vaishyas. So, what is left? Only Shudra.” He believes that the caste system makes some people feel low.
He clearly declared on the stage, “I am not Hindu. I am Shivraj Singh Yadav and I am a human.” He thinks that being Hindu is not mandatory for everyone. He feels that the religion he was part of does not give equal respect to everyone. This is why he wants to distance himself and his community from the Hindu identity.
Attack on the Government
Shivraj Singh did not stop there. He also attacked the current BJP government. He alleged that this government has done the most atrocities against Dalits and backward classes. He explained the meaning of “PDA” which stands for Pichda (Backward), Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (Minority).
According to him, these groups make up nearly 90 percent of the total population of India. But still, they are excluded from power. He said a very small group of people is controlling the whole system and the government. This is a very professional problem that he wants to solve by making people aware.
A New Trend in Politics?
Usually, we see many Dalit leaders leaving Hinduism or converting to Buddhism. They do this because they want equality. But it is very rare to see a Yadav leader saying such things openly. Most Yadavs in UP and Bihar consider themselves part of the Hindu religion. So, this statement from a Samajwadi leader is very new and different.
The Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups are constantly saying that the BJP is anti-Dalit. Akhilesh Yadav has also said many times that atrocities against Dalits have increased under the BJP rule. By saying “Yadavs are not Hindus,” Shivraj Singh is trying to bring all backward classes and Dalits together under one “PDA” identity.
What people think?
This news is spreading very fast on social media. Some people are supporting him for speaking about equality. But many others are very angry because they feel he is trying to divide the society for votes. The political temperature in UP is getting very high after this.
