Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya issued a stern warning on Sunday, declaring that any construction carried out in the name of Mughal emperor Babar would face vehement opposition and swift dismantling.
Controversy Triggers Strong Reaction
Maurya's strong statement was a direct response to an event that took place on Saturday in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. Suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque in Rejinagar, a structure reportedly modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid. This act has significantly escalated political tensions in West Bengal, where assembly elections are scheduled for next year.
"There is no issue with the construction of a mosque, but if someone builds it in the name of Babar, then we will not only oppose it, but we will also ensure it is swiftly dismantled," Maurya told reporters, drawing a clear distinction between religious construction and projects invoking historical figures.
Sharp Criticism for Samajwadi Party
During his interactions, the deputy chief minister also launched a scathing attack on the principal opposition party in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP), and its president, Akhilesh Yadav. Maurya asserted that Yadav had lost his composure following the party's humiliating defeat in the recent Bihar elections.
Indirectly referencing the SP chief, Maurya claimed, "The SP chief's mental state has deteriorated following the party's crushing defeat in Bihar, and he is now indulging in unrealistic dreams." He further predicted a bleak future for the party, emphasising that while it managed to win a few seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the SP "will not even be in a position to sit in the Opposition."
Symbolic Jibe and Temple Visit
Taking a swipe at the party's iconic symbol, Maurya remarked that after the Bihar results, "red caps and 'jalidari caps' (netted caps) have disappeared from Uttar Pradesh," adding that the SP was "on the verge of sunset."
Maurya was in Jhansi to participate in a review meeting concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Following the meeting, he travelled to Datia to offer prayers at the prominent Pitambara Peeth temple, blending his political messaging with a religious visit.
The deputy chief minister's comments highlight the continued political sensitivity surrounding historical and religious symbols in India, setting the stage for heightened rhetoric as election seasons approach in multiple states.
