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Manjhanpur (Uttar Pradesh), April 14, 2025 – A video of Indrajit Saroj, Samajwadi Party’s national general secretary and sitting MLA from Manjhanpur, has gone viral, drawing political scrutiny over remarks he made regarding religious institutions and historical invasions. The comments, delivered during an event marking Ambedkar Jayanti, have triggered strong reactions from various quarters.
Saroj, in his address, questioned the power attributed to Indian temples, stating that if temples had possessed protective power, invaders like Mahmud Ghaznavi and Mohammad Ghori would not have succeeded in attacking and looting India.
“If temples had real power, Ghori and Ghaznavi would not have been able to enter this land,” Saroj said during the speech.
Remarks on CM Yogi Adityanath
Without naming the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister directly, Saroj appeared to target Yogi Adityanath, who is also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math.
“Power is in the temple of the people, not in these religious structures. Baba has left his temple and now sits in the temple of the people… boarding helicopters,” Saroj said, suggesting a shift in priorities from spiritual duties to political aspirations.
This indirect reference is widely perceived as a criticism of Yogi Adityanath’s governance approach, especially his religious affiliations.
References to Historical Caste Oppression
The three-minute-fifteen-second speech also included references to caste discrimination, particularly targeting ancient practices that restricted Shudras from accessing sacred texts.
Saroj claimed that in the eras when scriptures like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Gita, and Ramcharitmanas were written, lower-caste individuals were forbidden from reading or even hearing these texts.
“If a Shudra tried to read, his eyes would be gouged out. Listening would result in molten lead being poured into the ears. Speaking it meant the tongue would be cut,” he stated.
He further alleged that Shudras were barred from walking on public roads and were required to carry pots around their necks to spit in, to avoid polluting the ground.
Cultural Reference to Jyotiba Phule Film
Saroj concluded his remarks by urging attendees to watch a newly released film on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, asserting that the film accurately portrays historical oppression, which he alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is uncomfortable acknowledging.
“These social truths are shown in the film, and those in power today are not liking it,” he added, without naming any political party directly.
Political Fallout and Expected Responses
While there has been no official BJP statement on the comments at the time of publication, political observers anticipate a strong response, especially as the remarks coincide with a politically sensitive period and discussions around religious nationalism remain prominent in national discourse.
Leaders from rival parties and right-leaning commentators on social media have criticized Saroj’s speech as provocative and divisive, while others have described it as an attempt to highlight historical injustices in line with Ambedkarite ideology.
Background: Indrajit Saroj
- Position: National General Secretary, Samajwadi Party
- Constituency: Manjhanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Political Alignment: Known advocate of Dalit rights and Ambedkarite philosophy
- Past Controversies: Not new to criticism for outspoken speeches targeting upper-caste hegemony and Hindutva narratives
Saroj has been a key figure in the Samajwadi Party’s Dalit outreach, particularly in eastern and central Uttar Pradesh.
Words That Echo Beyond the Rally
The latest speech by Indrajit Saroj has sparked a wider debate around freedom of speech, religious sentiment, and caste discourse in contemporary India. With the video gaining momentum online and political reactions looming, this episode could shape public narrative and party alignments in the weeks ahead.
As of now, there is no word from SP president Akhilesh Yadav on the matter.
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