Lucknow, May 17 (PTI) With the Samajwadi Party facing criticism over spokesperson Rajkumar Bhati’s remarks against Brahmins, Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday appealed to party leaders and workers to exercise restraint in language and conduct and protect social harmony.
Bhati met Yadav at the party’s state headquarters here, where the two discussed various social and political matters, according to a statement issued by the Samajwadi Party.
During the meeting, Yadav directed party workers to practise social harmony and maintain balance and restraint in their language and conduct.
Yadav asserted that "no one should say anything that makes others feel insulted or hurt”, the statement said.
Without directly referring to the controversy surrounding Bhati’s recent remarks, the SP chief stressed the need for unity and respect in public discourse.
Yadav said the Constitution and democracy must be protected to establish “social justice rule” and asserted that all sections of society would have to remain united to achieve that objective.
He reiterated that the SP's social policy is based on respect for all communities and said the party’s PDA (Pichhda , Dalit, Alpsankhyak), a term coined by Yadav for Backwards, Dalits and minorities, plank seeks to unite backward classes, Dalits, minorities, women and economically weaker sections among upper castes.
“The unity of PDA alone can remove the BJP from power in 2027 and help achieve the goal of forming a Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
Bhati recently sparked a controversy with his remarks against the Brahmin community, prompting him to later issue an unconditional apology. The row triggered sharp reactions from BJP leaders and Hindu organisations, with multiple FIRs lodged against him across several places.