Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, Apr 11: Samajwadi Party national president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav visited Jaipur on Saturday for a private programme, where he addressed a wide range of cultural, social, and political issues at a press interaction.
During his remarks, Yadav referred to ongoing debates involving the Shankaracharya, stating that spiritual leaders hold significant influence. He also commented on what he described as disputes with “fake saints,” while affirming respect for established religious figures.
Turning to Uttar Pradesh politics, he alleged irregularities in electoral procedures, claiming that voter names were being removed unfairly during the Special Intensive Revision process. He raised concerns over alleged misuse of forms and signatures, and said the issue had been brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India, though no corrective action had been taken, according to him. He further accused the poll body of acting in a biased manner.
Yadav also made remarks on cinematic portrayals of real-life figures, referencing the film “Dhurandhar 2” and stating that fictional disclaimers in films should make audiences question such representations.
On governance and law-and-order issues, he questioned the source and distribution networks of narcotics like ganja in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting the need for deeper scrutiny.
Discussing national politics, he referred to his past interactions with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and said he had once envisioned him as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate. He added that political shifts had altered that trajectory, while criticising the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party in such developments.
Highlighting his party’s past governance record, Yadav cited infrastructure projects such as expressways and initiatives like laptop distribution aimed at improving digital access for students. He said the Samajwadi Party would continue similar development-focused efforts in the future.
He also raised concerns about heritage preservation in Varanasi, alleging alterations to historical and cultural sites, including Manikarnika Ghat. He claimed that attempts were being made to distort historical narratives, citing controversies around the demolition of a statue of Ahilya Devi, which he said was later denied or attributed to manipulated visuals.
Speaking at a cultural and intellectual gathering during the visit, Yadav emphasised India’s diverse heritage and the importance of blending tradition with innovation. He described Jaipur as a symbol of harmony, noting that its identity reflects a blend of cultural influences expressed through its art, architecture, music, and cuisine.
He further said that true progress must ensure equality, eliminate discrimination, and promote social justice. Reaffirming his long-term vision, he stated that initiatives such as “Vision India: Harmonious Heritage” would continue to focus on building unity through cultural understanding and inclusive development.