A Muslim cleric, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, has been booked for allegedly making inflammatory, derogatory, and communal remarks against Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav during a televised debate. The controversial statements reportedly targeted the Member of Parliament after her recent visit to a mosque and have triggered widespread condemnation for being both misogynistic and potentially disruptive to social harmony. The FIR, which was lodged at the Vibhuti Khand police station in Lucknow on Sunday evening, accuses Rashidi of using language that was not only deeply offensive but also aimed at inciting religious discord.
According to the complaint filed by local resident Pravesh Yadav, the remarks were made in public forums, including national television and social media, and were intended to insult the modesty and dignity of a woman. Dimple Yadav, a prominent leader and wife of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, had visited a mosque on July 26, an act that was followed by Rashidi’s controversial comments. The cleric allegedly questioned and mocked her attire and her presence at a place of worship, triggering a backlash from various quarters of the public and political spectrum.
In his complaint, Pravesh Yadav expressed serious concern over the nature of Rashidi’s remarks, stating that they were a blatant attack on the personal dignity of an elected woman representative. “He made extremely offensive, inflammatory, and anti-women remarks against honourable MP Mrs. Dimple Yadav. Such statements hurt not only women’s dignity but also threaten the unity, integrity, and peace of the nation,” his complaint read. Yadav also described the remarks as deliberately provocative and claimed they reflected an “anti-national mindset,” further linking Rashidi to individuals or groups allegedly working to disturb India’s social and communal harmony.
The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 79, which pertains to gestures or words intended to insult a woman’s modesty; Section 196, which deals with promoting enmity between groups based on religion, race, or language; and Section 197, which punishes statements prejudicial to national integration. In addition to the BNS sections, provisions under the Information Technology Act have also been invoked, as the alleged remarks were widely circulated on digital platforms.
A senior police official confirmed that an investigation is currently underway and that necessary legal action will be taken once the facts are verified. “This is a sensitive matter. The complaint raises serious questions about the intent and impact of the statements made. A thorough inquiry is being conducted to determine if the allegations hold and what steps are required,” said the official.
The incident has not only sparked outrage in political circles but also raised concerns about the growing trend of communal and misogynistic commentary in the public sphere. Dimple Yadav’s mosque visit had been viewed by many as a gesture of inclusiveness and secular political engagement. However, the reaction from the cleric, described by critics as regressive and offensive, has turned the focus toward how women in politics continue to face gendered and communal abuse.
Several political leaders across parties have condemned the remarks and demanded swift legal action. Women’s rights activists have also raised their voices, stressing that such comments reflect a deeper malaise in how public discourse is being shaped against women who step out of traditional roles or engage in interfaith activities.
Observers note that while freedom of speech remains a protected right, it does not permit speech that incites hatred or undermines national unity and dignity. The Rashidi episode highlights a growing need for responsible dialogue, especially in a country as diverse and pluralistic as India.
As the investigation progresses, there is mounting pressure on the police and administrative machinery to act firmly against those using public platforms to spread hate and target individuals—particularly women—on the basis of religion, attire, or political affiliations. The outcome of this case could potentially set a precedent for how future instances of hate speech and gendered communal attacks are handled under the framework of the new criminal laws and digital regulations.
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