Samajwadi Party leader and close aide of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shivraj Singh Yadav, has triggered a major political storm after stating that “Yadavs are not Hindus”. Speaking at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh, he criticised the caste system, saying he could not follow any religion that treats a human being as “lower than a dog”.
Shivraj Yadav made the remarks while addressing the “PDA (Dalit-Backward-Minority) Pathshala” event at Dandiyamai village in Sirsaganj constituency. He questioned the caste divisions described in ancient Hindu scriptures, saying Yadavs do not fall under the Brahmin, Kshatriya, or Vaishya categories — and are therefore pushed into being labelled “Shudra”.
“Brahmin, we are not. Kshatriya, we are not. Vaishya, we are not. So if we are Hindus, then we are Shudras. I am not Hindu. I am Shivraj Singh Yadav and I am a human. The religion that treats humans lower than dogs is not my religion,” he declared.
The SP leader alleged that the current government has committed maximum atrocities against Dalits and backward communities, accusing those in power of systematically excluding marginalised groups.
Explaining the essence of PDA, he said Dalits, backward classes and minorities make up nearly 90% of the population, yet remain deprived of true representation in governance, while power stays confined to a privileged few.
The idea of rejecting Hindu identity has been witnessed earlier among sections of the Dalit community, many of whom have converted to Buddhism in protest against caste discrimination. However, such statements from Yadav community leaders remain rare, making his remarks even more significant and controversial.
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party and Opposition have consistently accused the BJP government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh of being “anti-Dalit”, alleging rising cases of atrocities against marginalised groups. Akhilesh Yadav has frequently launched attacks on the BJP on this issue.
The remarks by Shivraj Singh Yadav are now expected to intensify political debate and community reactions in the coming days.