Politics – Controversy Deepens After Cleric’s Remarks Target UP Chief Minister’s Mother
Politics – A political and social controversy intensified in Uttar Pradesh after a Muslim cleric from Bihar allegedly made objectionable remarks about the mother of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Following the statement, police in Balrampur district registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Sunday, triggering protests in several parts of the state.
FIR Registered Following Complaint by BJP Leader
The complaint was filed at Kotwali Nagar police station in Balrampur after BJP district president Ravi Kumar Mishra accused Maulana Abdullah Salim Chaturvedi of making offensive statements. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and began an investigation into the matter.
Authorities confirmed that the case would proceed according to the evidence collected during the inquiry. Kotwali Nagar Inspector-in-Charge Manoj Kumar Singh stated that the police are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and appropriate legal steps will follow based on the findings.
Minister Calls Remarks Unfortunate
Reacting to the controversy, Uttar Pradesh minister Danish Azad Ansari described the cleric’s statement as highly inappropriate and harmful to social harmony. He said that remarks of this nature, especially from religious figures, could create unnecessary tension in society.
Ansari urged the Bihar government to take strict action against individuals responsible for such statements. He also suggested that those involved should issue a public apology for their remarks.
Protests Erupt in Several Cities
The issue quickly escalated into political protests across Uttar Pradesh. Demonstrations were reported in multiple locations, including Lucknow, Balrampur, and other districts, where BJP workers gathered to express their anger.
During the protests, demonstrators raised slogans against the cleric and burned his effigy. Protesters warned that if authorities failed to arrest the accused soon, they would expand their agitation in the coming days.
Students Hold Demonstration in Lucknow
In Lucknow, a group of students organized a symbolic funeral procession of the cleric in the Hazratganj area. During the demonstration, protesters carried an effigy and later set it on fire at a busy intersection.
Police attempted to control the crowd and disperse the protesters, but the situation briefly turned tense as the gathering grew larger. The demonstration eventually subsided after police intervention.
Political Leaders Condemn Statement
Several political leaders and public representatives strongly condemned the remarks. Balrampur Sadar MLA Paltu Ram said the comments had deeply hurt public sentiment.
Tulsipur MLA Kailash Nath Shukla also criticised the statement, noting that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath holds both political and religious responsibilities as the head priest of the Gorakhpeeth Muth. He said the remarks against the Chief Minister’s mother crossed acceptable limits and called for strict legal action.
Former Gasadi MLA Shailesh Kumar Singh also expressed strong disapproval. He said that Yogi Adityanath has devoted his life to religious service and social welfare, and making derogatory remarks about his family was unacceptable.
BJP Leaders Demand Strict Action
BJP district president Ravi Kumar Mishra, who filed the police complaint, said legal action was necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future. According to him, the party’s protests so far have remained within democratic norms, but stronger demonstrations could follow if the accused is not arrested.
He added that such statements send a negative message to society and should not be tolerated.
Video From Religious Gathering Surfaces
The controversy intensified further after a video allegedly featuring Maulana Abdullah Salim surfaced on social media. Reports suggest that the speech was delivered during a religious gathering in Bihar during the Ramadan period.
In the video, the cleric is reportedly heard making controversial comments related to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and certain laws in Uttar Pradesh.
The video has drawn widespread criticism from political leaders, including BJP leader Aparna Yadav, along with several religious figures who demanded an apology and strict legal action.