- Shivraj Singh Yadav declares Yadavs are not Hindus
- Questions caste divisions mentioned in Manusmriti
- Says he does not follow a religion that treats humans unequally
- Remarks spark political and social controversy
GG News Bureau
Firozabad, 5th Jan: Shivraj Singh Yadav, a Samajwadi Party leader and close aide of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, has triggered a major controversy by declaring that “Yadavs are not Hindus” while questioning the traditional caste hierarchy laid down in ancient Hindu scriptures.
Speaking at a public meeting titled PDA (Dalit-Backward-Minority) Pathshala in Dandiyamai village of the Sirsaganj assembly constituency, Yadav criticised the caste system and cited Manusmriti to argue that the Yadav community is placed among Shudras, the lowest rung in the caste hierarchy.
“Brahmin, we are not. Kshatriya, we are not. Vaishya, we are not. Now, which one is left? Shudra,” he said. Declaring that he does not identify as Hindu, Yadav stated, “I am Shivraj Singh Yadav and I am a human. I am not Hindu. I do not follow a religion that treats a human being as lower than a dog.”
He alleged that the present government has committed the highest number of atrocities against Dalits and backward classes. Explaining the PDA concept, Yadav said that despite Dalits, backward classes and minorities forming nearly 90 per cent of the population, power continues to remain concentrated in the hands of a limited section.
Renunciation of Hindu identity has earlier been seen mainly within sections of the Dalit community, with many embracing Buddhism for its egalitarian principles. However, Yadav’s declaration has drawn attention as few leaders from the Yadav community have previously taken such a public stand.
