Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav can go to Ayodhya. Ever since the saints supporting Bharatiya Janata Party have heard this news, they have come out criticizing Akhilesh Yadav. Some are raising the issue of firing on Kar Sevaks, some are calling Samajwadi Party pro-Muslim. Samajwadi Party has not even made an official announcement on Akhilesh Yadav's visit but before that, Akhilesh Yadav seems to be in trouble.
A section of Muslim leaders has become uneasy with the unofficial announcement of this visit of Akhilesh Yadav. The leaders who are uncomfortable include Muslim MLAs and MPs. The reason for being uncomfortable has a long history. Where Ram Mandir is today, there was Babri Masjid.
Muslim leaders repeatedly claim that the foundation of Ram temple has been laid by martyring Babri Masjid. Akhilesh Yadav, from the decision in favor of Ram Lala till the construction of the temple, has never gone to Ayodhya to visit his birthplace. The new announcement seems to be putting them in trouble.
Also read: Why is Asaduddin Owaisi attacking Samajwadi Party more than BJP in UP?
Why is there speculation about the darshan of Ram Lala?
In Agenda Aaj Tak, Samajwadi Party leader Pawan Pandey had claimed that Akhilesh Yadav will come to Ayodhya on December 12. Will visit Hanuman Garhi and Ramlala with family. He will meet saints and sadhus and receive prasad. While explaining the definition of PDA, Akhilesh Yadav himself had said that 'First darshan then blessings.' His critics say that how can Akhilesh Yadav want to go to Ayodhya when during his father's government bullets have been fired on Ram temple servants.
Why is there politics on Akhilesh Yadav?
Different opinions are emerging in the political circles and within the party on the possible stand of Akhilesh Yadav regarding the Ram temple and the darshan of Ramlala in Ayodhya. The discussion hinges on how visiting or not going to the temple will affect the traditional vote bank of the Samajwadi Party. Will this strategy not complicate the Samajwadi Party further?
A section of the party and some political analysts believe that Muslim voters may be disappointed if Akhilesh goes to Ayodhya and has darshan. Akhilesh Yadav has not yet visited Ramlala's temple and has not made any enthusiastic comment about Ram temple. It is a different matter that he has been cornering BJP regarding the alleged theft incident in Ram temple.
Akhilesh Yadav is doing soft Hindutva politics these days, which is completely different from his traditional image. He seems to be stuck in a dilemma. There is a section which believes that their keeping distance from religious places can be harmful. Samajwadi Party is ignoring it by calling it a matter of personal belief but the discomfort of the minority class is now clearly visible.
Also read: 'Rename Samajwadi Party to Samajwadi Yadav Parivar', Owaisi lashed out at Akhilesh Yadav.
What is the concern within SP?
A party spokesperson, on condition of anonymity, said that Akhilesh Yadav should be careful on this issue. He argues that playing on the pitch of BJP's Hindutva agenda may cause political loss to the Samajwadi Party. This may also affect the secular image of the party. Muslims can turn to Owaisi. Minority voters are angry with the silence of other parties after the construction of Ram Temple. Samajwadi Party had till now maintained silence on this matter as a strategy. Now Akhilesh Yadav is also moving forward on the pitch of Hindutva, due to which the minority class is disappointed.
At the same time, some political experts believe that keeping distance from religious places to include a large section of the majority society in the politics of Uttar Pradesh can be a loss-making deal. According to this thinking, visiting the temple will blunt the edge of BJP's allegation that Samajwadi Party is called anti-Ram.
What has been the stand of Akhilesh and SP?
Akhilesh Yadav and senior spokespersons of SP have said on this subject that faith is a personal matter. According to him, whenever Akhilesh Yadav wants, he will go for darshan with his family. Samajwadi Party says that instead of being a part of BJP's political programs, it will undertake religious pilgrimage as per its convenience. The main focus of the party is on issues like inflation, unemployment and social justice.
What is BJP saying?
BJP leaders have called it the double character of Samajwadi Party and vote bank politics. The party says that due to the pressure of appeasement politics, it is hesitating to go to Ayodhya. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also challenged him several times to visit Ram temple.
Also read: 'Will make Akhilesh the CM', what did former minister Ram Asre say on leaving BJP and joining SP?
Why are you uncomfortable with the Ram Temple visit?
On Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's visit to Ayodhya, Samajwadi Party MP Zia ur Rehman Burke said, 'As far as I know, no official program has been announced yet. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to say anything on this. Be it Pankaj Choudhary, Yogi ji or Modi ji, it seems that they have no other agenda other than playing with people's faith and distracting them from real issues. They deliberately do such work which creates confusion and diverts the public's attention elsewhere.
Zia ur Rehman Burke said, 'The Samajwadi Party is neither in power in the UP government nor in the Centre, but those who are in power should divert their attention from these matters and focus on issues of public interest. We can work on such issues which will actually benefit the public and accelerate the development of the country.