Akhilesh Yadav's choice of words to wish Yogi Adityanath on his birthday sparks debate

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath celebrated his 53rd birthday on June 5

Akhilesh Yadav's birthday post for Adityanath Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference at the party headquarters, in Lucknow, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (PTI Photo/ Nand kumar)(PTI11_24_2024_000109B)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday faced an odd question- ‘Why didn’t he refer to Yogi Adityanath as chief minister while wishing him a happy birthday?’ Yadav’s reply to the query was, “Because people had birthdays- not posts.”

Yadav was interacting with the media at the Samajwadi Party head office in Lucknow. 

He was also drawn to some social media criticism that he had posted the birthday wishes too late- at 10.30 pm. While responding to the criticisms, Yadav responded that his wishes were as per UK time, and that the BJP should understand that. He said that it was morning somewhere in the world when he wrote that post.

UK is some five hours behind Indian Standard Time.

Yogi Adityanath turned 53 on June 5.

In his post on X, Yadav used the word ‘mubarakbad’ to congratulate Adityanath. This too got the goat of some social media users who pointed out that the Hindi word ‘shubhkamnayein’ should have been used. Some said that because an Urdu word had been used, Yadav’s wishes would be unacceptable to the CM.

Yadav’s post also contrasted with Adityanath’s birthday wish for him which had referred to him as ‘former’ chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. This, social media users pointed out showed the upbringing of the CM and his dignified manner. Many social media users also posted screenshots of the two posts against each other and asked other users to comment on which one was better worded.

There were also objections to the use of the word ‘sauhardyapoorna’ which means cordial. One user pointed out that this was not a festival for which such wishes should be extended.  

Others took beef with the fact that Yadav has not used the word ‘mananiya’ which translates into 'respected'. They suggested that if this is how he wanted to wish the CM, it would have been better if he had not wished him at all.

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