A major political row has broken out after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and MP Dimple Yadav visited a mosque located near Parliament, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the SP turned a religious site into a political hub. The controversy flared up after images of the visit surfaced online, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders who accused the SP of violating religious sanctity.
BJP Minority Morcha President Jamal Siddiqui took the lead in attacking the SP, claiming that a political meeting was held inside the mosque, and going so far as to raise objections to Dimple Yadav’s attire. “The mosque near Parliament has become an unofficial SP office. Political discussions were held there, and it’s an insult to a place of worship,” he said. He also announced plans to file an FIR against the SP leaders and proposed holding a BJP meeting at the same mosque on July 25, starting with the National Song and ending with the National Anthem.
Siddiqui further alleged that Dimple Yadav had violated mosque decorum, saying she was "inappropriately dressed" and lacked proper head covering, a remark that sparked widespread outrage and accusations of moral policing.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also joined the chorus of criticism, stating, “The Constitution prohibits using religious places for political activities. SP has no regard for constitutional principles.”
In response, both Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Dimple Yadav clarified, “We went there because Imam Nadvi, our party MP, invited us. It was not a political meeting. BJP is trying to divert attention from important national issues.”
She also hit back at the BJP for ignoring pressing concerns like the SIR debate in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack, and Operation Sindoor. “The government wants to distract people from these serious matters,” she said.
Akhilesh Yadav, addressing the media, accused the BJP of communalizing the issue. “Faith should connect, not divide. BJP is scared of unity among communities,” he said. He criticized the media for falling into the BJP’s narrative trap and insisted that religion should not be weaponized for political mileage.
Several SP leaders, including Zia ur Rehman Barq and Rajeev Rai, defended the visit, calling BJP’s allegations “absurd” and “politically desperate.” Barq questioned the logic of holding a political meeting in a mosque when MPs have access to official spaces within Parliament.
Congress MP Imran Masood also condemned the BJP’s remarks, stating, “The mosque’s imam is a Member of Parliament. Dimple Yadav was respectfully dressed. The BJP’s statements are shameful and disrespectful to women.”
As the row intensifies, political analysts see this as part of a larger pattern of religious polarization in the run-up to major state and national elections.
