SP hits back at Yogi Adityanath's Babur comparison: 'BJP not custodians of Sanatan'
Synopsis
Yogi Adityanath's decision to compare the Samajwadi Party with Mughal Emperor Babur has boomeranged into a broader opposition offensive, with SP and Congress redirecting the debate from religious identity to governance failures — alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple, paper leaks, and youth unemployment. The exchange reveals a deliberate counter-strategy by the opposition ahead of future UP polls.
Key Takeaways
UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday compared the Samajwadi Party to Mughal Emperor Babur , saying both were 'irritated' by the mention of Lord Ram .
SP MP Dharmendra Yadav retorted that the BJP , founded in 1980 , has no standing to be 'custodians of Sanatan.' The SP and Congress both demanded accountability over the alleged theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple .
Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh and Congress MP Imran Masood accused the CM of commercialising religion while failing to protect it.
SBSP chief and UP Minister OP Rajbhar backed Adityanath, calling the Babur comparison 'correct.'
The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Tuesday, 22 September sharply rebuked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he compared the Akhilesh Yadav-led party with Mughal Emperor Babur, arguing that both were 'irritated' by the mention of Lord Ram. The SP, joined by the Congress, demanded that Adityanath answer questions on governance failures rather than issue religious certificates.
The Babur Remark That Sparked the Row
On Monday, Chief Minister Adityanath drew a direct parallel between the Samajwadi Party and the Mughal emperor, claiming a shared aversion to references to Lord Ram. The remark set off an immediate political firestorm, with opposition parties across Uttar Pradesh closing ranks against the Chief Minister's framing.
SP's Response: Governance, Not Religion
SP MP Dharmendra Yadav was categorical in his rebuttal. 'CM Yogi has no right to give any certificate. His party, BJP, was formed in 1980, while Sanatan has been continuing for ages. They should not become the custodians of Sanatan,' he said.
Yadav pivoted the debate to what he described as pressing failures of the Adityanath administration: rising crimes against women, stagnant farmer incomes, youth unemployment, alleged donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, and recurring paper leaks. 'Why is the future of lakhs and crores of youths in crisis? Yogi ji should answer all these things because he is sitting in the Chief Minister's chair,' Yadav added.
Congress Demands Accountability on Donation Theft
The Congress amplified the SP's attack, focusing specifically on the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh echoed the refrain: 'No one can become custodians of Sanatan.'
Addressing Adityanath directly, Boudh said: 'Why do you claim monopoly over Lord Ram? Have you commercialised and turned it into a business? You came to power in the name of religion and in the name of Lord Ram, but today you have not been able to protect that. Today, people's sentiments have been deeply hurt by the way donation money was allegedly misappropriated.' He demanded that the Chief Minister 'take responsibility and reveal who all are involved in the donation theft.'
Congress MP Imran Masood was more pointed, remarking: 'The donation money is being stolen under your government, and now we have become the opposition!'
BJP Ally Backs Adityanath's Comparison
Not everyone in the political landscape distanced from the Chief Minister's remarks. Uttar Pradesh Minister and SBSP chief OP Rajbhar defended Adityanath, saying: 'That is correct. They have not gone for darshan at the Ram Temple even till now. The comparison with Babur that he made is correct.'
What This Signals for UP Politics
This is not the first time religious identity and Mughal-era references have been deployed as political instruments in Uttar Pradesh. The exchange comes ahead of a politically charged period, and notably shifts the opposition's counter-strategy from matching identity rhetoric to pressing on governance accountability — from donation theft to paper leaks to law and order. Whether this pivot resonates with voters will be closely watched as the state heads toward its next electoral cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Yogi Adityanath say about the Samajwadi Party and Babur?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday compared the Samajwadi Party to Mughal Emperor Babur, alleging that both were 'irritated' by the mention of Lord Ram. The remark sparked an immediate political row across Uttar Pradesh.
How did the Samajwadi Party respond to the Babur comparison?
SP MP Dharmendra Yadav rejected the comparison, saying the BJP — founded in 1980 — has no authority to issue Sanatan certificates and cannot be its custodians. He challenged CM Adityanath to answer questions on crimes against women, farmer incomes, unemployment, and paper leaks instead.
What is the alleged Ram Temple donation theft that Congress and SP raised?
The Congress and SP have alleged that donations made by devotees to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were misappropriated under the Adityanath government. Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh demanded that the CM name those responsible, though the government has not formally acknowledged wrongdoing.
Who supported CM Adityanath's Babur comparison?
UP Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief OP Rajbhar backed Adityanath, saying the comparison was correct and pointing out that SP leaders had not visited the Ram Temple for darshan.
Why does this exchange matter for Uttar Pradesh politics?
The row illustrates a strategic shift in opposition tactics in UP: rather than engaging on religious identity, the SP and Congress are pressing governance accountability — donation theft, paper leaks, law and order — using the BJP's own Ayodhya symbolism as the terrain. This pivot could shape how opposition parties frame their campaign ahead of the next UP electoral cycle.
