All India Muslim Jamaat national president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has accused Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav of adopting what he called a “soft Hindutva” approach ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
Speaking to IANS on Tuesday, Razvi alleged that Yadav was focused on returning to power and was therefore avoiding issues concerning Muslims. His remarks were reported on September 22.
‘Muslims Have Nowhere Else To Go’
Razvi alleged that the SP leadership believed Muslim voters would eventually return to the party regardless of its position on issues concerning the community.
“He believes that the Muslims have nowhere else to go and will inevitably return to the fold; this is the mindset of the Samajwadi Party,” Razvi said.
He also accused Yadav of treating Muslim voters as “bonded labourers” of the party.
Razvi further alleged that Yadav was trying to appeal to Hindu voters while remaining silent on issues that have been important to sections of the Muslim community.
Cleric Lists Muslim Issues
Razvi accused the SP chief of not taking clear positions on several contentious issues, including the Babri Masjid, Gyanvapi mosque dispute in Varanasi, Shahi Idgah mosque controversy in Mathura, developments in Sambhal and the Waqf Amendment Act.
“Occasionally, according to his mood, he might have posted something from the comfort of his room, but nothing more than that. This is because of his ‘soft Hindutva’ stance,” Razvi said.
He also alleged that Yadav had remained silent over cases involving the demolition of religious structures and the use of bulldozers against mosques and madrasas.
The All India Muslim Jamaat chief had previously criticised Yadav and accused him of being an “agent of the BJP”.
SP Hits Back
The remarks drew a response from SP MP Ramji Lal Suman, who questioned Razvi’s standing to advise the party on its political decisions.
“Which party does Maulana belong to? Will Maulana run the Samajwadi Party?” Suman said.
He added, “What we have to do, what we do not have to do and whom we have to make the Chief Minister is the Samajwadi Party’s concern.”
Suman also said it would be a favour if Razvi kept his advice to himself.
