: Samajwadi Party national president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday criticised the state government over the demolition of a mosque on the Saharanpur collectorate premises. The former chief minister alleged that the action was used to divert attention from governance failures.
He claimed it had failed to provide jobs and employment, control inflation, maintain law and order, or attract investment. The SP president asked, “What was the hurry to demolish the mosque in Saharanpur? If the parties supporting the mosque had gone to the high court or the Supreme Court for justice, what problem would there have been? He emphasised the need for mutual respect among communities. “Our society will be strong only when we respect other religions. Beyond the mosque issue, Yadav levelled a series of charges against the government, including crumbling expressways, pothole-ridden roads and police excesses. He also questioned the official GDP figure.
The structure was razed early on September 5 after a district court upheld an earlier order declaring it an unauthorised construction on government land.
Speaking to the media during a visit to Bidhuna in Auraiya district, Yadav said the BJP government was not functioning according to the Constitution and the law. “That is why the mosque in Saharanpur was demolished,” he said. The SP leader said those who demolished the mosque and those involved in the action would face legal consequences. A true Sanatani, a true saint and a true Hindu can never insult another religion or hurt anyone’s sentiments,” he said.
