A statue of Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, installed at a camp in the Maha Kumbh Mela area, has sparked controversy, with seers raising objections. The statue, around two to three feet tall, was inaugurated on Saturday (January 11) at the camp in Sector 16, set up by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Seva Sansthan, Leader of Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, confirmed on Sunday.
The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad criticised the installation, with its president, Mahant Ravindra Puri, stating that Mulayam Singh Yadav had consistently held “anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan” views.
SP leaders defend installation
Samajwadi Party leader Mata Prasad Pandey defended the installation, saying he inaugurated the statue of “Netaji” on Saturday. He added that the camp aimed to promote Mulayam Singh Yadav’s thoughts and ideas.
“Pilgrims and other people are welcomed to go to the camp, have food, and stay there. A small statue of Mulayam Singh Yadav has been installed in a symbolic manner,” Pandey told reporters. He also mentioned that the statue would be moved to the party office after the Maha Kumbh.
When asked if SP chief Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Maha Kumbh Mela, Pandey said, “I have not spoken to him in this regard.” However, he shared that he had taken a dip in the Sangam on Saturday and planned to visit again.
Seers protest, label it ‘anti-Sanatan’
Meanwhile, Mahant Ravindra Puri from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad remarked that the installation of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statue was meant to remind seers of the incidents where he “killed” members of their community.
“We have no objection to Mulayam Singh’s statue. He has been our chief minister. But what message do they (SP people) want to give by installing the statue at this time? Everyone knows what his contribution has been in the Ram temple movement. He has always been anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan, and in favour of Muslims,” Puri said.
Juna Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Yati Narsinghanand supported Puri’s remarks, stating that the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad’s condemnation of the statue installation was justified.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party patriarch, served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh three times and was the former defence minister. He was elected as an MLA ten times and an MP seven times, primarily representing Mainpuri and Azamgarh. He passed away on October 10, 2022.