A controversial hoarding featuring the merged half-faces of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has stirred a political storm, with the BJP calling it a grave insult to Ambedkar and accusing the SP of exploiting his image for electoral gain. The uproar has prompted the BJP to announce statewide protests against what it sees as an attempt to manipulate Dalit sentiments ahead of elections.
The hoarding, which shows Akhilesh Yadav holding a poster where his face blends with that of Ambedkar, triggered sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, shared the image on X and slammed it as a distortion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy. He said no comparison could ever be made between Akhilesh Yadav and the architect of the Indian Constitution.
BJP’s sharp criticism across ranks
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal echoed the outrage, saying the image was a disrespectful move aimed at wooing Dalit voters. At a press briefing in Delhi, he also highlighted that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had once been defeated in elections due to Congress’s actions—now the same Congress is allied with the SP, raising questions about their sincerity toward Dalit causes.
Meghwal pointed out contradictions in the alliance, claiming that Akhilesh Yadav supports backward class reservations, while Congress leaders like Rajiv Gandhi historically opposed them. He also remarked that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stood against dynastic politics, unlike Akhilesh, who is a product of political lineage.
State leaders join the condemnation
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called the poster an example of the SP’s “corrupt mentality” and a direct insult to Ambedkar. Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun added that SP has a record of undermining Dalit welfare and had previously scrapped several beneficial schemes for marginalized communities.
Lalji Prasad Nirmal, a member of the UP Legislative Council, criticized Akhilesh Yadav for policies that harmed Dalit employees, such as removing reservation in promotions. Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal went further, saying Akhilesh Yadav was not even worthy of being compared to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and warned that the public would not forgive such disrespect.
As the controversy grows, the BJP has vowed to take its protests against the hoarding campaign to every corner of the state.
