SP president urges people to stand up for seer’s dignity

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday called upon people to "stand up" for the dignity of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, alleging that the BJP govt insulted the seer.Speaking to mediapersons during his visit to Unnao and Kanpur, Akhilesh claimed that the Shankaracharya was prevented from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and was pushed by police personnel.
He further alleged that accompanying priests were beaten and manhandled, and that a "false case" was registered against the seer by a person linked to BJP. "Shankaracharya is revered by all. It is time people must rise to protect his honour," Akhilesh said, accusing the BJP of using officials to suppress dissent and file fabricated cases against opponents. On political alliances, he reiterated that his party remained part of the INDIA bloc along with the Congress. He said Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak (PDA) would unite to establish a regime based on social justice. Targeting the BJP over its stance on slaughterhouses, the former UP CM alleged that the party facilitated large abattoir operations in Haryana while projecting a different image elsewhere. He also criticised the closure of a milk plant set up during the Samajwadi Party regime in Kannauj and alleged corruption in cow welfare schemes. Raising concerns over electoral rolls, he alleged large-scale discrepancies between voter lists prepared by the panchayati raj department and the Election Commission. On income tax raids at BSP MLA Uma Shankar Singh's residence, Akhilesh said the action appeared selective and politically motivated. He accused the BJP govt of "insulting" multiple sections of society, including farmers and the armed forces, and referred to a recent Kanpur demolition incident. "If voted to office, the Samajwadi Party would boost industrial growth in Kanpur, ensure Ganga cleaning, provide cheaper electricity, support industries and create jobs," he said.