New Delhi: A political controversy has erupted over Samajwadi Party’s Lok Sabha MP Dimple Yadav. More precisely, over the attire of SP chief and former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s wife.
The incident stems from a recent visit by Akhilesh, Dimple and some other MPs to a mosque near Parliament.
As photographs of the visit surfaced on social media, showing SP leaders seated inside the mosque, BJP leaders not only accused Akhilesh’s party of holding a political meeting inside a religious space, they also alleged that Dimple was “inappropriately dressed”.
BJP Minority Morcha president Jamal Siddiqui led the charge, claiming that Akhilesh had turned a place of worship into an ‘unofficial SP office.’
“Akhilesh Yadav went to the mosque yesterday. That mosque is located in front of the Parliament building. SP MP Nadvi is the imam there. We condemn him as well — why was a political meeting held inside a mosque?” questioned Jamal.
Turning his focus to Dimple, Jamal said: “In the photo, Dimple Yadav is seen sitting in a blouse – her back and stomach are visible. Dimple Yadav did not have a dupatta on her head. ”
Jamal added that it goes “against the code of conduct inside a mosque and hurts Islamic sentiments worldwide.”
The BJP leader added that an FIR will be filed against them.
“If this is the way, we will also hold a meeting in the same mosque on July 25, starting with the National Song and ending with the National Anthem.”
SP denies BJP claims, calls it diversionary tactics
The Samajwadi Party strongly denied BJP’s allegations, with both Akhilesh and Dimple dismissing the controversy as an attempt to distract from pressing national issues.
“There is nothing like that (political meeting).. Imam Nadvi ji, who is our MP, had invited us, so we went. BJP is spreading misinformation. We didn’t go there for any meeting. The BJP is saying all this to divert attention from the real issues. The government doesn’t want to talk about matters concerning the people,” Dimple said.
The Mainpuri MP pulled up the BJP for evading questions on important issues like the SIR in Bihar, Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.
Akhilesh accused the BJP of weaponising religion for political gain.
Speaking to reporters about the incident, Akhilesh said, “I thank you, but you too have fallen into BJP’s trap.”
He went on to say that those beside him are religious people. “I only know one thing: faith connects people, regardless of the religion. Any faith that brings people together, we stand with it. That’s exactly what troubles the BJP – they don’t want unity, they want distance to remain.”
According to SP’s Zia ur Rehman Barq, Dimple did cover her head.
“It’s possible her dupatta slipped when the photo was taken.” Barq remarked.