‘Muslims Being Reduced To Second-Class Citizens’: Akhilesh Yadav Claims In LS, Reiterates Pledge For Caste Census

Accusing the government of neglecting minorities, the former UP CM alleged that minorities' rights and properties are being systematically eroded.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav speaks in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution at the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

Source : PTI

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the government of systematically reducing the minorities of the country, particularly Muslims, to "second-grade" citizens and eroding their rights and properties.

While speaking in Lok Sabha during a debate on the ‘Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India', Yadav alleged that the government was fostering inequality and failing to uphold the constitutional protections of marginalised communities.

"This Constitution is our armour, our security. It provides us strength whenever needed. The Constitution is the true guardian of the rights of the oppressed, neglected, suppressed, and deprived. For people like us and the weak in the country, especially for PDA (Pichdde, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak), saving the Constitution is a matter of life and death," news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

Accusing the government of neglecting minorities, the former UP CM alleged that minorities' rights and properties are being systematically eroded.  "More than 20 crore people, especially Muslims, are being reduced to second-grade citizens. Atrocities against them are increasing daily. Their properties are being looted, homes demolished, and places of worship seized with administrative help," Yadav alleged.

The SP chief reiterated his demand for a caste survey, calling it essential for addressing social disparities and ensuring justice. "Whenever we get the opportunity, we will conduct a caste census. It will not deepen caste divisions but reduce them, ensuring rights and equality for those who have been deprived for long. Reservation was the most significant tool for social justice, but it has been diluted with outsourcing and contract-based jobs," Yadav added.

Aiming at the issue of the handling of border security by the government, he also claimed that the territorial integrity of India is at risk. "Protecting the nation's borders is the primary duty of any government. Yet, we see intrusions...In Ladakh, our troops have withdrawn from our (own) territory, and it won't be long before we are denied access to sacred sites like Kailash Mansarovar," Yadav claimed.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav Raises Concern Over Economic Disparities

Highlighting the situation of the underprivileged, Yadav raised the concern of economic disparities in the country. He added that out of 140 crore people, 82 crore are dependent on government rations for their survival. While the nation aims to be among the fastest-growing economies, but, the two-thirds wealth of the country remains in the hands of a few.

He challenged the government to come up with the per capita income of those who are under the poverty line. He also blamed the government for manipulating elections through fear and administrative overreach. "During the Uttar Pradesh elections (recent bypolls to nine assembly seats), many were denied the right to vote. Women were threatened and police officials openly discouraged them with revolvers. Yet, those brave women defied intimidation and cast their votes. Is this the democracy we live in?" Yadav questioned.

Akhilesh Yadav cautioned against the erosion of democratic values, comparing the current situation to authoritarian regimes. "This system is rapidly veering towards dictatorship. Even Hitler amended the constitution after being elected to establish tyranny. Our government seems to be treading the same path," he said.

He also expressed strong opposition to the Agnipath scheme for armed forces recruitment, stating that he would never accept it. Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee emphasised the need for a broad interpretation of the Constitution, ensuring its benefits reach every impoverished citizen in India.