Ramgopal Yadav, Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has ignited controversy by alleging that a Bharatiya Janata Party minister targeted Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi due to her Muslim identity, while IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh was not criticized because she is perceived as a Rajput.
Yadav also pointed out that BJP leaders seemed unaware of Air Marshal AK Bharti’s caste background. Both Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh played significant roles in the briefings for Operation Sindoor alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. During a program in Moradabad, Yadav criticized the BJP’s Tiranga Yatra, questioning its necessity and suggesting that it was merely an election tactic.
He emphasized that if the Yatra were truly needed, it should involve the entire nation and include all political parties. Yadav also referenced the derogatory comments made by MP Minister Vijay Shah about Colonel Qureshi, noting that the high court has mandated a case against him, and remarked that Shah’s ignorance of Singh and Bharti’s identities suggests that they too would have faced similar disrespect had he known.
The SP leader emphasized that Vyomika Singh, a Jatav from Haryana, and Air Marshal Bharti, a Yadav from Purnia, all belong to the PDA category, which includes backward classes, Dalits, and minorities. He noted that one individual faced discrimination due to her Muslim identity, while another was treated differently due to assumptions about her being a Rajput, with no prior knowledge about Bharti’s background.
He claimed that leaders are now compelled to reconsider their actions in light of these revelations reported in the media. Yadav criticized the negative mindset of some individuals, suggesting that instead of celebrating the accomplishments of the armed forces, they focus on personal agendas.
In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned Yadav’s comments, asserting that the military’s uniform transcends caste distinctions, as every soldier fulfills their duty to the nation without representing any specific caste or religion. Adityanath further stated that the SP leader’s remarks reveal a limited perspective that undermines the dignity of the Indian army.
He argued that by confining a courageous daughter of the nation to caste boundaries, the SP leader not only showcased his party’s narrow-mindedness but also disrespected the valor of the army and the identity of the nation. He warned that such divisive thinking, which seeks to fragment patriotism for political gain, will be met with public backlash. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya echoed this sentiment, asserting that the army operates independently of caste and religion, with its sole purpose being the defense of the country, and viewing these factors within the military context reflects a ‘low mentality’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed significant focus on empowering women within the military. He urged everyone to have confidence in him,” he stated. Meanwhile, BSP leader Mayawati criticized both the BJP and the SP. In a post on X, she expressed that it is “highly unjust” for individuals to assess or fragment the army based on religion and caste, especially when the nation stands united and takes pride in the Indian Army’s bravery during Operation Sindoor against terrorists in Pakistan.
Mayawati emphasized that it is inappropriate to judge or divide the army along religious or caste lines, pointing out that both a BJP minister and a senior SP leader have made similar mistakes, which she deemed disgraceful and worthy of condemnation.”
