Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has strongly condemned the highly offensive trolls targeting his daughter on social media, while taking serious exception to the silence maintained by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the issue. The trolling, which drew widespread condemnation from netizens, triggered resentment among SP cadre, prompting party functionaries to file complaints with the cyber cells in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Ballia on Thursday, demanding stringent action against those responsible.
SP announces rewards for information
Furious SP functionaries announced rewards for anyone providing clues about the identity of the trolls. Akhilesh, responding to a media query, said, "Just because people in BJP don't have families, they will talk about family members of others like this? Will they talk about my family? Will they talk about my daughter? From where have the people got the backing to do such a thing? The BJP has given that support. It is the BJP which gets such people talking."
He further questioned the Chief Minister's silence, asking, "Only because the Chief Minister ji does not have a family, will he remain silent if the family of others is targeted? Is he enjoying this? Is the language that the BJP people are using appropriate?"
Social media backlash against trolls
Users on digital platforms have heavily condemned the trolls, describing the targeting of a young girl as the "ugliest face of politics" and "filth" thrown at her merely for being the daughter of an opposition leader. The incident has exposed a deeper rot, with a well-equipped political ecosystem insulating vicious cyber mobs and ensuring legal immunity, according to some users. Many, including SP supporters, questioned the state government's commitment to safeguarding women's dignity.
Trolling seen as BJP's counter to allegations
Within the SP, the trolling is viewed as a counter from the BJP to divert attention from allegations of irregularities concerning donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Akhilesh has been vocal about these alleged misappropriations, claiming they have hurt the sentiments of Sanatanis worldwide.
