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SP Slams Muslim Cleric Over Akhilesh Yadav's 'Soft Hindutva' Remarks
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News18•23-09-2026, 11:00
SP Slams Muslim Cleric Over Akhilesh Yadav's 'Soft Hindutva' Remarks
- •The Samajwadi Party (SP) criticized Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi after he accused party chief Akhilesh Yadav of moving towards "soft Hindutva" ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
- •SP MP Ramji Lal Suman questioned the cleric's authority to advise the party, stating that the Samajwadi Party would determine its own leadership and strategy.
- •Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi alleged that Akhilesh Yadav's focus on returning to power in 2027 led him to lean towards "soft Hindutva" and remain silent on Muslim issues, believing Muslim voters have no alternative.
- •The cleric claimed Akhilesh Yadav has been silent on significant Muslim community issues, including the Babri Masjid, Gyanvapi mosque, Shahi Idgah mosque, Sambhal developments, and the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
- •Another SP MP, Iqra Hasan, dismissed the cleric's remarks as "foolish," asserting that Akhilesh Yadav is the only one in Uttar Pradesh capable of defeating the BJP.
Key Questions Answered
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi alleged that Akhilesh Yadav is leaning towards soft Hindutva ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to secure Hindu votes while remaining silent on key Muslim issues like the Babri Masjid, Gyanvapi, and Waqf (Amendment) Act.
SP MP Ramji Lal Suman hit back by questioning the cleric's party affiliation and standing to give political advice, asserting that the Samajwadi Party will independently decide its leadership, strategy, and chief ministerial candidate.
Maulana Shahabuddin cited that Uttar Pradesh has roughly 22 percent Muslim population compared to only 7 percent Yadav population, criticizing the allocation of tickets and demanding a Muslim chief ministerial face for the 2027 polls.
