NDA MPs Protest Inside Parliament Over Cleric's Derogatory Remarks on Dimple Yadav
New Delhi, July 28 (TheTrendingPeople) Members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) staged a protest on Monday within the premises of the Parliament, strongly condemning Islamic cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi for his derogatory and inflammatory remarks against Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav. The protest underscored the ruling coalition's collective stand in defending the dignity of women in Indian public life.
Holding placards with slogans such as "Nari garima par prahar, nahi karenge kabhi bhi sweekar" (We will not tolerate any attack on women's dignity), NDA MPs gathered at the Parliament to demand strict action against the cleric.
FIR Registered Over Misogynistic Remarks
The protest follows an FIR filed by the Lucknow Police against Maulana Sajid Rashidi, who had allegedly made objectionable and misogynistic remarks about Dimple Yadav during a televised panel discussion. In the debate, Rashidi criticised the Mainpuri MP for appearing without covering her head, followed by a derogatory comment that was quickly condemned across party lines and civil society.
Rashidi's remarks reportedly stemmed from visuals circulated online showing Dimple Yadav attending a Samajwadi Party meeting at Sansad Marg mosque in Delhi, alongside her husband Akhilesh Yadav and Kairana MP Iqra Hasan.
Political, Social Outrage Mounts
The controversial comment sparked a wave of backlash:
- Women's rights groups and activists denounced the statement as deeply misogynistic.
- Several politicians, irrespective of their affiliations, criticised Rashidi's statement.
- The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) distanced itself from the cleric’s remarks, labelling them personal opinions.
NDA leaders emphasized that such statements have no place in a democratic society and are a direct attack on women’s autonomy and dignity.
NDA’s United Response
The protest at the Parliament complex saw participation from leaders across NDA parties, including:
- BJP MPs from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi
- Women parliamentarians across the alliance
- Ministers in the Union Cabinet
Placards, slogans, and a united voice marked the protest, signaling zero tolerance toward attacks on women politicians. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee stated, "Today, we stand in support of every woman who has faced such vile language. This is not about one party, this is about respecting womanhood."
Parallel Protest by INDIA Bloc
While the NDA focused its protest on Maulana Rashidi's comments, the INDIA bloc intensified its agitation on a separate but politically significant issue — the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.
Leaders from Congress, RJD, and Samajwadi Party staged a dharna outside the Parliament’s Makar Dwar, targeting what they termed as the "institutional voter cleansing" effort by the Election Commission.
According to reports, the SIR could potentially lead to the deletion of over 52 lakh names due to death, duplication, or migration.
Akhilesh Yadav Joins Protest; Demands Halt to Voter List Revision
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, standing alongside Dimple Yadav, addressed the press and said, "This isn’t a revision; it’s a deletion drive. They want to wipe out the votes of the poor, backward, and marginalised. We will not allow this to happen quietly."
He further questioned the timing of the SIR drive, which is taking place just months before key state elections in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Election Commission Responds
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly denied the allegations, clarifying:
- The SIR is a routine administrative procedure
- The process is being carried out in full transparency
- No community or demographic is being targeted unfairly
An official from the ECI stated, "These are standard procedures undertaken before every major electoral cycle to ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls."
Opposition Sees a Larger Pattern
INDIA bloc leaders argue that:
- The timing and scale of the voter list revision are suspicious
- It fits a broader pattern of institutional manipulation by the ruling alliance
- Marginalised communities — especially migrants, minorities, and daily wage earners — are most at risk
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "First NRC, then CAA, and now this voter revision drama. Every action has one goal: disenfranchise the inconvenient voter."
Reactions Across the Political Spectrum
- BJP: Called for legal action against Maulana Rashidi and emphasized the NDA’s commitment to women’s dignity.
- SP: Focused on resisting the voter list revisions, calling them anti-democratic.
- Congress: Supported both the outrage against misogyny and the protest against the SIR exercise.
- AIMIM: Criticized Rashidi's remarks as "regressive" but urged secular parties not to politicize the issue for mileage.
Legal Proceedings and Public Sentiment
The FIR against Rashidi cites IPC sections related to promoting enmity between groups and insulting the modesty of a woman. While the cleric has not yet been taken into custody, the investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, online public sentiment reflects overwhelming support for Dimple Yadav, with hashtags like #StandWithDimple and #RespectWomen trending across platforms.
Final Thoughts – TheTrendingPeople.com
The twin protests on Parliament grounds reflect a nation grappling with complex layers of politics, identity, and rights. On one hand, the NDA’s stand against misogynistic remarks underscores the growing zero-tolerance approach to public disrespect towards women in power. On the other, the INDIA bloc’s agitation raises legitimate questions about electoral transparency and the safeguarding of democratic participation.
What is clear is that both issues — dignity and democracy — are not mutually exclusive but deeply interconnected. When women leaders are publicly humiliated, it weakens the very foundation of representative governance. And when millions of names are purged from voter rolls without due process, the voice of democracy is dimmed.
In this moment, TheTrendingPeople.com urges all stakeholders — political, institutional, and civil — to rise above partisan politics and protect the values enshrined in the Constitution: respect, equity, and justice for all.