Prayagraj: Responding to questions raised by Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav over the recent Ghazipur encounter, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) leadership. He stated that for SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and other party leaders to lecture others on law and order was akin to 'people living in glass houses throwing stones at others.'
Maurya emphasized that whenever such incidents occur, the police are duty-bound to take legal action and arrest the accused. He asserted that investigations are initiated based on facts and complaints lodged by affected families, not on the demands of political leaders.
Stressing that the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh remained strong, Maurya said that police personnel have the right to retaliate when attacked and that criminals sometimes get killed during such encounters. He added that if any complaints emerge in the future, they too would be examined in accordance with the law.
Maurya also launched a sharp attack on Akhilesh and Dimple over their recent meeting with Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and their support for the demand to accord the cow the status of 'Rashtra Mata' (National Mother), while simultaneously accusing the BJP of avoiding the issue.
Questioning their credibility on matters related to saints and cow protection, Maurya said those under whose government unarmed devotees of Lord Ram were allegedly fired upon could not claim to be protectors of saints. He further alleged that cow slaughter and smuggling had flourished during the previous SP regime and asserted that the party had no moral authority to speak on cow welfare.
Describing the SP leadership as politically opportunistic, he said they were neither committed to the welfare of saints nor genuinely concerned about cow protection. Responding to Dimple's remark calling Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath a 'political Hindu' rather than a 'Sanatani,' the Deputy CM said, 'May God grant her wisdom.'
Maurya was in Prayagraj to interact with party office-bearers and workers. During the meeting, he urged BJP workers to intensify their outreach efforts in their respective areas with the objective of securing victory in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He also directed them to discharge organizational responsibilities with honesty, commitment, and dedication.
Responding to opposition criticism on economic issues, Maurya said the country had witnessed remarkable progress over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He asserted that several products once imported from abroad are now being manufactured within the country, strengthening self-reliance and boosting domestic industry.
Taking a swipe at previous regimes, he said people had not forgotten the role of middlemen who once benefited from imports. He added that the government remained committed to creating better opportunities for young people and claimed that the initiatives launched for youth welfare and employment had received a positive response across the country.
About the Author: Kapil Dixit writes on crime, traffic, health, administration, politics, and offbeat stories from Prayagraj. He has extensively covered Maha Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh, and Magh Melas, as well as state assembly and parliamentary polls from 2002 to 2025. His hobbies include reading, writing, and meeting people with diverse interests.
