Samajwadi Party Workers Stage Protests Over Controversial 'Dhurandhar'-Inspired Hoardings in Uttar Pradesh
In a dramatic turn of events, Samajwadi Party (SP) workers launched widespread protests across several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after provocative hoardings and posters, drawing inspiration from the Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar', surfaced in public spaces. The contentious displays emerged in locations including Azamgarh, Jaunpur, and other parts of the state, igniting political fury and calls for immediate police intervention.
Controversial Content Sparks Outrage
The hoardings depicted SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a highly unflattering light, portraying him as Rehman Dakait—a notorious Pakistani gangster character from the movie 'Dhurandhar'. Accompanying this imagery were newspaper clippings referencing alleged criminal activities that purportedly occurred during the SP government's tenure from 2012 to 2017. On the reverse side of these displays, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was showcased as 'Dhurandhar CM', engaged in religious rituals, with clippings highlighting the deaths of infamous gangsters such as Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmed under his administration.
Specific sites where these hoardings were erected include Harbanspur in Sidhari, Jagdishpur bridge in Phoolpur, and Bilriyaganj market in Azamgarh. The content drew direct parallels between Akhilesh Yadav's governance and Karachi's Lyari area, a region often associated with gang violence, with captions like 'Akhilesh ka Lyari Raj' (Akhilesh's Lyari Rule). Additionally, references were made to riots in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Shamli during the SP's rule, further fueling the controversy.
Political Backlash and Police Demands
Upset by these inflammatory displays, SP's district unit president Hawaldar Yadav, accompanied by local MLAs, met with Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar to demand swift action against those responsible. They argued that the hoardings could potentially disturb peace and harmony in the city, labeling the incident as a deliberate political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the party's image.
In response, SP workers took matters into their own hands by removing and tearing down the hoardings and posters at various locations. They also mobilized to local police stations, pressing for legal action against the organization named on the posters: Youth Against Mafia, a lesser-known activist group. Officials assured the protesters that a proper investigation would be conducted to identify and hold accountable the individuals involved in putting up the contentious material.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The hoardings not only targeted Akhilesh Yadav but also positioned the Yogi Adityanath government's anti-mafia actions as significant achievements, using clippings related to figures like Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansari, and Mukim Kala. This juxtaposition has intensified the political rivalry in Uttar Pradesh, with both sides leveraging cinematic imagery to score points in the ongoing electoral and ideological battles.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of political discourse in the state, where symbolism and media portrayals can quickly escalate into public confrontations. As tensions simmer, authorities are tasked with maintaining order while addressing the grievances of political factions caught in this heated exchange.
