Lucknow Police have registered a case against Islamic cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi for allegedly making offensive and sexist remarks about Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav. His comments, made during a TV debate and other public platforms, triggered widespread outrage for being disrespectful and possibly communal.
Who is Maulana Sajid Rashidi?
Maulana Sajid Rashidi is a well-known Islamic cleric based in Delhi. He heads the All India Imam Association (AIIA) and also runs a Haj travel business. Rashidi leads daily prayers at a mosque in Paharganj and is active in religious and political discussions. He is often referred to as the president or chairman of AIIA in media reports.
He has often sparked controversy with strong and provocative statements about religion and politics. Over the years, he has been criticised for remarks against Hindu gods and political leaders, including the latest one involving Dimple Yadav. These comments have frequently led to FIRs and public anger.
Despite the controversies, he continues to appear regularly on TV debates, where he is known for his hardline and confrontational views. Interestingly, he once supported the BJP in elections, surprising many given his religious position. Shortly after the Delhi Assembly elections in February, the cleric claimed in a video that he had voted for the BJP.
Silence from Samajwadi Party: Why is Akhilesh Yadav quiet?
Although Samajwadi Party leader Pravesh Yadav filed a complaint against Rashidi on Saturday, there was no statement from Dimple Yadav’s husband and SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav.
On the other hand, BJP leader Swaraj expressed her shock and disappointment that such a remark was made against a sitting Member of Parliament, and yet Akhilesh Yadav, and their party had not spoken out. She questioned whether their political interests were more important than speaking up for women’s dignity. She also asked if the entire Opposition agreed with such a disrespectful remark. Swaraj said that the NDA would stand up for every woman, including Dimple Yadav.
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury too condemned the cleric’s statement. She said such comments show the kind of thinking and values some people have. She asked how anyone could dare to speak like this about any woman, whether it’s Dimple Yadav or someone else, and questioned the presence of such people in public spaces.
Police action
An FIR has been registered at Vibhutikhand police station. The charges include outraging the modesty of a woman, promoting enmity between groups, hurting religious feelings and intentional insult under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act. Further investigation is ongoing.
Rashidi criticised Dimple Yadav for not covering her head while attending a Samajwadi Party meeting at the Sansad Marg mosque in Delhi. His remarks, widely seen as sexist and outdated, included a derogatory slur that sparked strong backlash across political and social circles.
The meeting was attended by Dimple Yadav, SP president Akhilesh Yadav and MP Iqra Hasan. Photos from the event were widely shared on social media and news platforms and Rashidi reportedly based his comments on those images.
