{"id":1790,"date":"2025-08-04T11:42:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T11:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/04\/muted-or-morally-weak-sps-calculated-silence-on-sexist-slur-against-dimple-yadav-draws-fire-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T11:42:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T11:42:44","slug":"muted-or-morally-weak-sps-calculated-silence-on-sexist-slur-against-dimple-yadav-draws-fire-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/04\/muted-or-morally-weak-sps-calculated-silence-on-sexist-slur-against-dimple-yadav-draws-fire-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Muted Or Morally Weak? SP\u2019s Calculated Silence On Sexist Slur Against Dimple Yadav Draws Fire | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9483545\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-730caffcddfd709\">August 04, 2025, 17:03 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9483545\" class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637 asubttl-schema\">While BJP MPs seized the moment with strong protests, political analysts described the SP\u2019s muted response as a clear fallout of vote-bank compulsions.<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav in Lok Sabha. (Sansad TV)\" title=\"Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav in Lok Sabha. (Sansad TV)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav in Lok Sabha. (Sansad TV)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">Is Samajwadi Party\u2019s muted response to the derogatory comment on its MP Dimple Yadav political pragmatism or moral weakness? In Uttar Pradesh, the storm over the sexist remarks by religious leaders is showing no sign of abating. Barely had outrage over a Vrindavan saint\u2019s comments subsided when another controversy erupted \u2014 this time involving Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, who made an indecent remark about Dimple Yadav during a televised debate, triggering a political, social, and moral uproar. While BJP MPs seized the moment with strong protests, contrasting SP\u2019s silence with their declared defence of women\u2019s honour, political analysts described the SP\u2019s muted response as a clear fallout of vote-bank compulsions.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">Referring to a photograph of Yadav at a mosque event in Delhi with her husband and party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashidi said: \u201cLook at her back. It is naked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">The remark \u2014 aimed at contrasting Yadav\u2019s attire with that of fellow SP MP Iqra Hasan, who had covered her head \u2014 was widely condemned as indecent and anti-women.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">Samajwadi Party leader Pravesh Yadav lodged a complaint at the Vibhutikhand police station in Lucknow, calling the words an insult not just to Dimple Yadav but to all women.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">An FIR was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 79 (outraging the modesty of women), 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 299 (hurting religious sentiments), and 352 (intentional insult).<\/p>\n<h2>BJP Seizes the Opportunity<\/h2>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">The BJP, however, wasted no time in taking the issue to Parliament. NDA MPs staged a vociferous protest, demanding accountability and raising slogans in defence of women\u2019s dignity. \u201cWe won\u2019t tolerate insults to a female MP,&#8221; declared several BJP leaders, holding placards in solidarity.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">Lok Janshakti Party (R) MP Shambhavi Choudhary added: \u201cFor NDA, the honour and prestige of women is of utmost priority.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">Dimple Yadav herself, while thanking those who stood with her, questioned the BJP\u2019s sincerity. She asked why the party had not staged similar protests against violence and atrocities against women in Manipur.<\/p>\n<h2>Outrage Beyond Party Lines<\/h2>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">The Maulana\u2019s remarks sparked widespread anger across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. On social media, hashtags condemning both saints and clerics trended for days. Many citizens noted the irony of religious leaders \u2014 expected to uphold compassion and moral guidance \u2014 indulging in sexist discourse. People said that the derogatory remarks against women \u2014 whether by politicians, commoners, or acharyas \u2014 are unacceptable.<\/p>\n<h2>The Samajwadi Party\u2019s Calculated Silence<\/h2>\n<p id=\"12\" class=\"story_para_12\">However, SP continued to maintain a calculated silence on the entire issue. Despite filing the FIR, the party\u2019s leadership \u2014 including Akhilesh Yadav \u2014 refrained from directly or forcefully condemning Rashidi.<\/p>\n<p id=\"13\" class=\"story_para_13\">SP veteran Awadhesh Prasad did issue a scathing statement, saying: \u201cOnly a madman can make such remarks. These saints and clerics must remember that their words impact millions of minds.&#8221; Yet, the absence of a stronger and united front from the party\u2019s top brass has drawn sharp scrutiny.<\/p>\n<h2>What do Political Experts say?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"15\" class=\"story_para_15\">Observers believe this reflects the party\u2019s reliance on Muslim votes. A senior political analyst in Lucknow said, \u201cHad such a remark come from a Hindu priest or a BJP leader, the SP would have taken to the streets. But because the offender is a Muslim cleric, the party hesitated. The silence is strategic \u2014 but it appears morally weak.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"16\" class=\"story_para_16\">Dr Shashikant Pandey, head of the political science department at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, explained the stakes: \u201cIn a state where women constitute nearly half the electorate, repeated sexist remarks by influential figures risk alienating a significant voter base. The muted response from the Samajwadi Party reflects the compulsions of vote-bank politics, but it comes at a cost. Women and young voters increasingly expect clarity and moral courage from political leaders. Silence in such cases can backfire in the long run, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>BJP: Outrage or Opportunity?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"18\" class=\"story_para_18\">While the BJP positioned itself as a defender of women\u2019s honour, its critics accused it of selective outrage. Congress leaders said both saffron saints and Muslim clerics were guilty of degrading women, adding that the BJP was exploiting the issue to corner the SP.<\/p>\n<p id=\"19\" class=\"story_para_19\">Yet, support for Dimple Yadav extended even across ideological divides. Atul Pathak, a BJP supporter from Kannauj, told News18, \u201cI may support BJP, but I deeply respect Dimple Yadav for her dignity and conduct. What that Maulana said was shameful \u2014 it hurt me too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>More Than Just a Comment<\/h2>\n<p id=\"21\" class=\"story_para_21\">At its core, this controversy goes beyond a vulgar remark. It highlights the vulnerability of women in public life to moral policing, the selective outrage of political parties dictated by electoral arithmetic, and the growing erosion of moral courage in politics.<\/p>\n<p id=\"22\" class=\"story_para_22\">Few would dispute that Dimple Yadav remains one of the most graceful and dignified figures in Indian politics. Her choice of modest saris, her soft-spoken nature, and her simple yet composed public presence have earned her admiration across party lines. That makes Rashidi\u2019s comment all the more shocking.<\/p>\n<p id=\"23\" class=\"story_para_23\">A comment on social media states \u2013 \u201cDimple\u2019s silence shows grace under fire. But the silence of those around her reveals something far more troubling: a political culture where expediency triumphs over principle, and conscience is outsourced to calculations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637 coral-count-custom\">view comments<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/\">politics<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> Muted Or Morally Weak? SP\u2019s Calculated Silence On Sexist Slur Against Dimple Yadav Draws Fire<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc \">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-9278cad478d6a6dc\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-e71bd712c195739a jsx-4076714637 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/muted-or-morally-weak-sps-calculated-silence-on-sexist-slur-against-dimple-yadav-draws-fire-ws-l-9483545.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:August 04, 2025, 17:03 IST While BJP MPs seized the moment with strong protests, political analysts described the SP\u2019s muted response as a clear fallout of vote-bank compulsions. Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav in Lok Sabha. (Sansad TV) Is Samajwadi Party\u2019s muted response to the derogatory comment on its MP Dimple Yadav political pragmatism&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1791,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}