Sanatan Debate Heats Up as Shivpal Yadav Hits Out at BJP

Kanpur, October 22: The Sanatan issue is becoming a major political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh as the 2027 assembly elections draw closer. Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav has launched a pointed attack on the BJP, saying its leaders cannot be regarded as true Sanatanis.

Speaking at an event in Kanpur on Thursday, Yadav described the upcoming vote as one that could change people's luck. He said the BJP holds power at both the Centre and the state, and called these governments false.

When the media sought his reaction to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's comments on Sanatan, Yadav said his party is secular and is guided by its PDA organisation.

He said it was hard to see how BJP people could be genuine Sanatanis when the government is involved in corruption. Yadav referred to the theft of offerings at the Ram temple and questioned how a government that calls itself Sanatani could allow temple offerings to be stolen. He said people who believe in God find such claims unconvincing.

Yadav also commented on remarks by UP minister Sanjay Nishad, saying the public knows what work Nishad carried out over his five-year term. On the matter of opening doors, he said such decisions are taken by the national leadership.

On the planned visit of Amit Shah to Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said every leader has the right to visit the state. He added that leaders of all parties would come before the elections to plan strategies and hold meetings, and that there was nothing objectionable about it.

He concluded by reacting to UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's statement that Akhilesh Yadav was responsible for sending Azam Khan to jail. Yadav said Rajbhar often changes his position and that his remarks should not be given much weight, since he might say anything at any time.