Viral Video: Akhilesh Yadav Confronts Aniruddhacharya Over ‘Shudra’ Remark, Sparks Social Media Debate

A video featuring renowned storyteller Aniruddhacharya and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has recently gone viral, reigniting discussions around caste politics and the use of the term ‘Shudra’ amid the ongoing Brahmin versus PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) debate. The video is being widely shared by SP supporters, who are praising Akhilesh Yadav for his stance and chanting slogans like “Long live PDA!”

In the video, Akhilesh Yadav is seen telling Aniruddhacharya, “Don’t call anyone a Shudra in the future.” Many claim that Akhilesh, using his knowledge of religion, left the storyteller speechless. The incident has become a major talking point in political circles.

Akhilesh Vs Aniruddhacharya: अखिलेश Vs अनिरुद्धाचार्य...कृष्ण पर शास्त्रार्थ ! महाराज की बोलती बंद

What’s in the Viral Video?

The video shows Akhilesh Yadav meeting Aniruddhacharya on a roadside. Akhilesh asks the storyteller, “When Krishna was handed over to Yashoda for the first time at midnight, what name did the mother call him first?” Aniruddhacharya replies, “The Lord has many names. She first called him Kanhaiya.” Akhilesh congratulates him and says, “From here, our paths diverge. Don’t call anyone a Shudra in the future.” He then walks away, telling Aniruddhacharya to check the answer for himself.

Reportedly, this video is about a year and a half old, from when Akhilesh Yadav and Aniruddhacharya met on the Agra Expressway. Aniruddhacharya was said to be on a foot pilgrimage at the time, and the two crossed paths. Some claim Aniruddhacharya gave the wrong answer, as many believe Yashoda first called Krishna “Nandlala,” referencing their village, Nandgaon.

अखिलेश यादव की अनिरुद्धाचार्य से सड़क पर अचानक मुलाकात, हाथ मिलाते हुए कह दी ऐसी बात कि वीडियो हो गया वायरल | Akhilesh Yadav Aniruddhacharya viral video met Lucknow ...

The Political Context

At the time of this encounter, the politics surrounding the term ‘Shudra’ was at its peak. In early 2023, Swami Prasad Maurya, then with the Samajwadi Party, had stirred controversy with his remarks on the Ramcharitmanas. Akhilesh Yadav supported Maurya, using the term ‘Shudra’ in a major political statement and criticizing the BJP and RSS. He had remarked, “If I attend a religious event, will they send goons? BJP people consider us Shudras. When the time changes, they will realize.” This statement led to the term ‘Shudra’ trending widely on social media.

Aniruddhacharya himself has made several statements on caste in the past, some of which have gone viral, further fueling the ongoing debate.