Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Deliberately Spreading Hate Videos Before 2027 UP Assembly Elections
In a sharp political attack, Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of reviving its old practice of circulating inflammatory hate crime videos on social media platforms. The SP chief claimed this strategy aims to deliberately vitiate the communal atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the crucial 2027 state assembly elections.
Badaun Incident Videos Spark Political Controversy
Akhilesh Yadav's comments specifically referenced viral videos from the recent Badaun incident that have flooded social media feeds across the state. The footage purportedly shows a man violently assaulting three individuals, including an elderly person, while hurling objectionable remarks targeting their religious identity. Police investigations have identified the victims as local Muslim residents and the accused as an activist associated with the Bajrang Dal organization.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow, Akhilesh issued a stark warning to citizens: "BJP se savdhan rahiyega. Social media par jaan boojh kar dalte hain ki nafrat phaile. Jaan boojh kar is tarah ke video chalayenge election se pehle, 2014 mein bhi farzi video chalaye gaye the" (Beware of the BJP. They deliberately circulate videos on social media that spread hatred. They intentionally circulate such videos before elections. In 2014 too, similar videos were circulated).
Historical Parallels Drawn to 2014 Election Tactics
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister drew direct parallels to the 2014 general elections, recalling how provocative videos were systematically shared across WhatsApp groups during that period. These videos falsely claimed to depict local incidents designed to incite communal tensions.
"In 2014, members of an 'unregistered organization' (apparently referring to the RSS) lured and accompanied Muslim men to throw pieces of meat at a temple, deliberately triggering riots," Akhilesh recounted. "Subsequent investigations led to 18 BJP members spending over a year in jail for their involvement in these orchestrated incidents."
The SP president asserted that such manufactured controversies serve to divert public attention from genuine governance failures. He specifically mentioned the tragic death of a child who fell into an open drain in Gorakhpur, suggesting that hate video campaigns overshadow such critical issues affecting ordinary citizens.
Multiple Controversies Addressed in Press Conference
Akhilesh Yadav also commented on the recent FIR registered under the POCSO Act against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, characterizing it as a deliberate attempt to humiliate the respected seer. "Instead of punishing police and administrative officials who disrespected seers and assaulted their disciples, the BJP government has chosen to resurrect an old case against the Shankaracharya," he stated.
The opposition leader questioned the apparent contradictions in the BJP's approach, pointing to Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak's recent honoring of 'Batuks' (religious devotees) while no action was taken when similar individuals had their 'shikhas' (sacred hair tufts) pulled in Prayagraj. "There can be legitimate differences of opinion, but one should not resort to such extreme measures," Akhilesh emphasized regarding the case against the seer.
He further cited media reports suggesting the complainant in the case is actually a disciple of another seer who has been engaged in a longstanding dispute with Swami Avimukteshwaranand. "If the complainant truly is a disciple of the opposing seer, then I made an error when I withdrew a fraud case against that seer during my tenure as chief minister," Akhilesh remarked, referencing his previous administrative decisions.
Political Offer Amid Speculated BJP Internal Rifts
In a characteristically provocative move, Akhilesh Yadav extended what he described as a "one-week open offer" to any deputy chief minister who could bring 100 BJP MLAs to support a leadership change. "Whoever can come with 100 MLAs, the Samajwadi Party will support them to become the chief minister," he declared, though observers noted the statement carried elements of political satire.
This marks the second time the SP president has made such an offer, having previously extended similar support in December 2022 amid speculation about internal differences within the BJP's top leadership in the state government. The statement appears designed to highlight perceived fractures within the ruling party while positioning the Samajwadi Party as a potential kingmaker in Uttar Pradesh politics.
The press conference underscores the intensifying political rhetoric as Uttar Pradesh begins its long march toward the 2027 assembly elections, with social media manipulation and communal polarization emerging as central themes in the opposition's critique of the incumbent BJP government.
