Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 4: The Samajwadi Party (SP) hit back at Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday amid a heated controversy over the state government’s directive for shopkeepers along the Kanwar Yatra route to display nameplates revealing their names and caste.
The row escalated after Dy CM Pathak accused SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra of likening Kanwar Yatra devotees to terrorists. Dismissing the allegation, Mehrotra responded sharply, calling the deputy CM’s claim “a lie.”
“Nowhere did we say anything about Kanwar Yatris—our comments were directed at the BJP government,” Mehrotra told ANI.
Criticizing Pathak’s handling of health affairs, Mehrotra added:
“He is also the Health Minister, but he never talks about hospitals, medicines, or treatments. People are dying due to lack of care.”
Mehrotra then doubled down on his earlier remarks, comparing the BJP government’s policies to terrorist tactics, citing the example of religious profiling during the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Just as terrorists in Pahalgam asked about religion before killing people, the BJP government is also asking shopkeepers about their caste and religion.”
He further alleged that BJP workers were illegally conducting identity checks along the Kanwar Yatra route and even forced a shopkeeper to remove his pants. He called such acts a form of terrorism.
“If Kanwar Yatris ask questions, there’s no issue. But the BJP’s Tughlaqi order to display caste and religion is being enforced by party workers. Five people were arrested in Muzaffarnagar for such actions—this is terrorism too.”
SP leader Awadhesh Prasad also condemned Pathak’s remarks, calling them divisive.
“This is a baseless statement showing a narrow mindset. Such caste-based decisions divide society and were never made when SP was in power. This country belongs to everyone.”
In defense, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak accused SP of playing appeasement politics and trying to bring Sharia law to UP.
“SP leaders are comparing Kanwar Yatris to terrorists. It’s shameful. Buyers have a right to know who they’re buying from. Sellers must display their names,” he said.
As the Kanwar Yatra 2025 approaches, the issue has sparked a fierce political and communal debate across Uttar Pradesh.