Swami Prasad Maurya Resigns As Samajwadi Party’s General Secretary, Alleges ‘Bias And Injustice’

Swami Prasad Maurya, the general secretary of the Samajwadi Party (SP), resigned on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

File Photo Of Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav And Party Leader Swami Prasad Maurya

Former National General Secretary Swami Prasad Maurya on Tuesday resigned from the Samajwadi Party, alleging "discrimination and lack of support for his vision" of fighting for the oppressed and implementing inclusive policies, including PDA ("pichre" (meaning backward), Dalit and "alpashankhak" (meaning minority)). 

However, the 70-year-old leader will remain a party member. 

He wrote a letter to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of his decision in a letter and resigned. Meanwhile, Maurya stated that he will continue to work to strengthen the party even without the post.

संज्ञानार्थ,@yadavakhilesh@samajwadiparty pic.twitter.com/SYPBhEvhe8

— Swami Prasad Maurya (@SwamiPMaurya) February 13, 2024

It is to be noted that Maurya has been in the spotlight for some time because of his controversial remarks about 'Sanatan Dharma', Hindutva, and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His controversial statement about the Ramcharitmanas drew strong criticism from both within and outside the party.

The Akhilesh Yadav-led party later distanced itself from Maurya's statement, urging him not to make such divisive remarks that offend religious sentiments.

On Sunday, Maurya described the Uttar Pradesh legislators' visit to the Ayodhya Ram temple as a "show" and said that lawmakers offering prayers on "government orders" was "not appropriate". Maurya stated that those who visited the temple on Sunday did so "out of compulsion".

"This is a show. It's an illusion. Why should we obey such orders?" PTI quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Maurya made the remarks while visiting Hasanpur village in Jagdishpur assembly constituency to attend the 'Constitution Awareness Seminar'.

Over 300 Uttar Pradesh legislators travelled from Lucknow to the new Ayodhya Ram Mandir on Sunday, an event organised by the state government that only the opposition Samajwadi Party skipped.

When asked about the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', Maurya said he would take part when the Rahul Gandhi-led yatra reached Uttar Pradesh.

The SP leader stated that Rahul Gandhi is currently attempting to connect the society through his 'nyaya yatra'.

"I welcome the work that they are doing to establish brotherhood and whenever their yatra reaches Uttar Pradesh, I will definitely participate somewhere," he said further.