Controversy Erupts Over Caste Remarks by Samajwadi Party MP on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Caste Remarks Ignite Political Backlash
On Thursday, Ram Gopal Yadav, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party, stirred controversy with his caste-related comments regarding Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Singh had recently addressed the media alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during Operation Sindoor.
Yadav stated, "They were unaware of Vyomika Singh's identity or her caste, nor did they recognize Air Marshal A.K. Bharti. If they had, they would have insulted them as well. Vyomika Singh is a 'Jatav Chamar' from Haryana, while Air Marshal A.K. Bharti hails from Purnia and is a Yadav. All three were part of the PDA segment. One was insulted due to assumptions about her being Muslim, another was presumed to be Rajput, and the third was simply overlooked due to ignorance," as reported by a news agency.
In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned Yadav's remarks, asserting that the military uniform transcends caste distinctions. He emphasized that every soldier serves the nation and is not a representative of any caste or religion. Adityanath criticized Yadav's comments as a reflection of his party's narrow-mindedness and a serious affront to the valor of the armed forces and national identity.
सेना की वर्दी 'जातिवादी चश्मे' से नहीं देखी जाती है। भारतीय सेना का प्रत्येक सैनिक 'राष्ट्रधर्म' निभाता है, न कि किसी जाति या मजहब का प्रतिनिधि होता है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) May 15, 2025
समाजवादी पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय महासचिव द्वारा एक वीरांगना बेटी को जाति की परिधि में बांधना न केवल उनकी पार्टी की संकुचित सोच का…
Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, also criticized Yadav, stating that disrespecting Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is an affront to the entire nation. He highlighted that Singh symbolizes India's pride and women's empowerment, and Yadav's comments reflect a low mentality and anti-woman sentiments.
#WATCH | Lucknow; On Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav's reported statement, UP Dy CM Brajesh Pathak says, "Disrespect to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is not just to her but to the entire nation. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is not just a name but a symbol of India's pride… pic.twitter.com/FRxayL6Ni2
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2025
UP Minister Anil Rajbhar added that Yadav's statement reveals the deep-seated hatred the Samajwadi Party harbors towards Dalits. He praised Vyomika Singh as a courageous daughter of India and a symbol of women's empowerment, asserting that her contributions during Operation Sindoor were commendable. Rajbhar criticized the Samajwadi Party for attempting to insult Dalits and emphasized that in modern India, individuals are recognized for their achievements rather than their caste.
#WATCH | Lucknow; On Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav's reported statement, UP Minister Anil Rajbhar says, "The statement made by the Samajwadi party leader proves how much hatred they carry in their hearts towards Dalits. Vyomika Singh is a brave daughter of India. It is… pic.twitter.com/WLpvLshU8M
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2025