Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav visited Prayagraj on Sunday, using the platform to launch a fierce critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding ongoing controversies surrounding Ram Mandir donation theft and the recurring issue of paper leaks. He asserted that the BJP’s dictionary lacks both religion and shame, arguing that the party’s true priority is money rather than any spiritual or moral cause. He famously quipped that the BJP does not operate on a 'Nation First' policy, but rather a 'Donation First' model. Furthermore, he directed his criticism toward the RSS, stating that those who once handled vote-stealing operations have been exposed, and their entry into Uttar Pradesh is now effectively banned.
Discrepancies in Ram Mandir donations
Continuing his assault, the former Chief Minister slammed both the central and state governments regarding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Mandir. He questioned how such a blatant mockery of faith and devotion could occur, characterizing it as a deliberate act of cunning behavior. He pointed out that evidence exists within CCTV footage, questioning why the cameras are frequently switched off and why accurate figures regarding the missing funds have not been disclosed. For him, this represents a pattern of recurring theft that demands accountability.
The Lucknow fire tragedy and safety lapses
Addressing the recent coaching center fire in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav indicated that he intends to discuss the matter in detail on Monday. He observed that many young lives could have been saved had there been robust safety arrangements in place. He emphasized that if the officials and staff involved in the rescue operation had possessed proper firefighting equipment, the tragedy would have been mitigated. According to him, more lives were lost due to suffocation from smoke and dust than from the fire itself, highlighting a failure to handle the futures of young students with care.
BJP's 'Recruitment Model' and examination issues
Beyond state borders, Akhilesh highlighted connections between paper leaks in Uttar Pradesh and incidents in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. He claimed that the lack of an audit into nationwide paper leaks reveals a systemic issue. He released an 11-page document detailing what he termed the 'Recruitment Model' of the BJP government, which he described as follows:
- Subjecting youth who raise their voices to lathi-charges.
- Dragging legal matters through the High Court or Supreme Court to delay resolution.
- Ultimately cancelling the recruitment process entirely.
Akhilesh concluded by stating that the way the future of students is currently being handled is a direct assault on their lives and career prospects.
