Controversy Erupts After Maulana Sajid Rashidi Assaulted Over Remarks About Dimple Yadav

A recent incident involving Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders at a mosque has escalated into a major controversy, especially after All India Imam Association president, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, was physically assaulted following his comments about MP Dimple Yadav.

Mosque Visit Sparks Outrage

Just a few days ago, a meeting at a mosque attended by SP president Akhilesh Yadav, his wife and MP Dimple Yadav, and several other party leaders became the center of a heated debate. However, the controversy intensified not over the meeting itself, but over Dimple Yadav’s attire. Many religious leaders issued statements criticizing her, offering unsolicited advice to both Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav.

Inflammatory Comments Lead to Assault

The situation escalated further when Maulana Sajid Rashidi made extremely objectionable remarks against Dimple Yadav during a TV debate, crossing all limits of political and civil discourse. The Maulana attempted several times to clarify his statement, but his efforts failed to pacify critics. Subsequently, reports emerged that Rashidi was assaulted in Noida.

A video quickly went viral on social media, showing a young man at a news channel studio approaching Rashidi and slapping him multiple times. The incident is believed to have been recorded by SP leaders themselves. In the video, Rashidi is seen surrounded by several people, including the anchor, when SP student wing leader Mohit Nagar—who is the Gautam Buddh Nagar district president—along with party leaders Shyam Singh and Prashant Bhati, began assaulting him.

Legal and Political Fallout

Following the attack, Maulana Sajid Rashidi filed a complaint with police at Sector 126 station. Many SP leaders and workers also held protests against Rashidi for his remarks about Dimple Yadav, and a case was registered against the Maulana at Lucknow’s Vibhuti police station. Meanwhile, Mohit Nagar and others accused Rashidi of inciting religious discord. Police are now investigating the matter.

Maulana Sajid Rashidi’s Response

In his defense, Rashidi stated: “I objected based on Islamic beliefs to the manner in which Dimple Yadav was seated in the mosque. According to religious tenets, one should not sit like that. Other Muslims present should have set an example. One MP, who is also a Maulana, sat silently out of deference, rather than speaking up for religious norms. Furthermore, I believe he [the MP] only invited Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav to the mosque to demonstrate his influence. If he were a true Maulana, he would have asked them to discuss politics at his house instead of inside the mosque, which is against Islamic tradition.”

Conclusion

This incident has led to a wider conversation about respect for religious sites, political conduct, and the boundaries of free speech. As both legal and political repercussions continue to unfold, the situation remains under investigation.