SP Leader Defends Akhilesh Yadavs Controversial Remarks on Migrant Workers

Haridwar, October 25 (Daily Kiran) : Sonam Bagwadi, the Uttarakhand in-charge of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has come forward to clarify the controversy surrounding party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s recent remarks about migrant workers. Speaking in Haridwar, Bagwadi asserted that Yadav’s statement was taken out of context and reduced to a mere nine-second clip by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Bagwadi emphasized that Yadav’s comments were aimed at addressing the plight of migrant laborers who travel to Uttar Pradesh for work. “The term ‘infiltrators’ is often used by the BJP and the Chief Minister to describe these workers,” she explained. She pointed out that Yadav’s intention was to highlight how migrant workers are sometimes labeled as infiltrators, raising questions about the definition of the term.

Bagwadi further argued that if the term “infiltrator” is applied to migrant workers from other states, then by the same logic, the Chief Minister—who himself hails from another state—could also be labeled as such. She criticized the BJP for misrepresenting Yadav’s comments, which were meant to shed light on the challenges faced by these workers who leave their homes in search of better opportunities.

The SP leader noted that the BJP frequently brings up the issue of infiltrators during election cycles, yet fails to provide a clear definition of who qualifies as one. “It’s a natural question to ask who the BJP considers to be infiltrators and on what basis they make such accusations,” she said.

Bagwadi further pointed out that in the past 12 to 14 years, under the BJP’s governance, only around 4,000 infiltrators have been deported from India, contradicting the party’s narrative. She firmly stated that there is no reason for Yadav to apologize, as his comments were not directed at the people of Uttarakhand but were instead focused on the hardships faced by migrant laborers.

In response to the controversy, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat commented that the issue of infiltrators should not overshadow the contributions of Uttarakhand’s citizens to Uttar Pradesh. He expressed his belief that anyone who resides in a state is a citizen and should not be labeled as an infiltrator. Rawat also criticized the repeated use of the term by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stating that it undermines the sentiments of the people.

As the political discourse continues, both Bagwadi and Rawat call for a more nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding migration and citizenship in the region.