Did Ram Gopal Yadav's Casteist Remark on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh Spark Outrage?

Moradabad, May 15 (NationPress) Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav has incited significant backlash with his caste-oriented statements regarding Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who has been actively updating the media about 'Operation Sindoor'.

During a party gathering in Bilari Tehsil, Moradabad, Yadav not only identified the caste of Vyomika Singh and other military officers but also implied that the BJP was selectively targeting or overlooking officers based on perceived religious and caste backgrounds.

While mentioning Wing Commander Singh, Yadav mistakenly referred to her as “Divya Singh.” After being corrected by SP MP Aditya Yadav, he proceeded to name Singh and other military personnel, including Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Air Marshal AK Bharti, while detailing their caste backgrounds. His comments faced severe criticism from various circles, with accusations of undermining the integrity and unity of the armed forces.

Yadav stated: “They (referring to BJP leaders like Vijay Shah) didn't even know who Vyomika Singh is or what her caste is, nor do they know about Air Marshal AK Bharti. Otherwise, they would have abused them too. Let me tell you — Vyomika Singh belongs to the Jatav (Dalit) community from Haryana, and Air Marshal AK Bharti is a Yadav from Purnia. All three belong to the PDA segment. One was abused because they thought she was Muslim, one was assumed to be Rajput, so nothing was said, and they have no information about the third.”

He elaborated: “This war was fought by a Muslim, a Jatav, and a Yadav. All three belong to the PDA (Picchda-backward, Dalit, Aalpsankhyak-minority) category. So, how can the BJP claim credit for this operation?”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned Yadav’s remarks, deeming them an insult to the values of the Indian Army and national unity. In a statement on social media platform X, the CM remarked:

“The army uniform is not seen through a casteist lens. Every soldier of the Indian Army upholds 'Rashtradharma' (national duty), not the identity of any caste or religion. The SP General Secretary’s act of categorising a brave woman officer by caste is not only indicative of his party’s narrow thinking but also a shameful insult to the valour of our forces and the dignity of the nation.”

He further criticized the SP’s politics, stating: “This is the same mindset that dares to divide even patriotism in the name of appeasement and vote-bank politics. The public will give a fitting response to this distorted casteist thinking.”

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also condemned Yadav’s statements on X, asserting: “The army is above caste and religion. Its only duty is to protect the nation. Viewing the armed forces through the prism of caste and religion reflects a petty mindset. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly emphasised women's empowerment in the armed forces. Everyone should trust his leadership.”

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya stated on X, “Senior Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav used a casteist slur against Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Such derogatory language can only be the result of a deeply hateful mindset.”