Mumbai, May 29: Uttar Pradesh‘s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has sharply countered remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, who criticized him for transitioning from health minister to journalist. Pathak emphasized the importance of journalism and dialogue, stating that labeling journalists as ‘troublemakers’ is an insult to hardworking individuals in society and the media.
Pathak asserted that dialogue and interviews are integral to the timeless tradition of Indian democracy. He noted that those who deal in falsehoods often fear truth and open communication.
Akhilesh Yadav had previously mocked Pathak and Minister Narendra Kashyap’s conversation, suggesting that they had failed in their roles as health ministers. Yadav claimed, “Those who proved useless as health ministers have now become journalists, as they need to do something to pass the time. The public is suffering in the heat without electricity, while BJP ministers are playing ‘interview-interview’ games during summer vacations.”
In response, Pathak took to social media platform X, stating, “Engaging in dialogue with historical figures like Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia is a matter of pride. I may be a humble individual and a simple socio-political worker, but our glorious history shows that many great leaders were once journalists.”
He continued, “Pandit Deendayal published the monthly magazine ‘Rashtra Dharma,’ while Lohia was the editor of the Hindi monthly ‘Jan’ and the English monthly ‘Mankind.’ Engaging in dialogue is our eternal tradition. As Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan said, only tyrants oppose dialogue. Our journalist brothers and sisters are the hardworking individuals of our society. To label them as troublemakers is an insult to all journalists and laborers. A meaningful interview requires immense intellect and effort, which our journalist colleagues can attest to. Those who are privileged may find hardworking individuals bothersome, while those who deal in falsehoods may dislike dialogue.”
Pathak expressed confusion over why some individuals fear dialogue and truth so much. He stated, “As a health minister, I am striving to improve public health to the best of my ability, and as a political worker, I am fulfilling my duties through dialogue. If they find it bothersome, what can I do?”
It is noteworthy that Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has recently released a video where he is seen conversing with Minister Narendra Kashyap from the backward classes. In this video, he compares the governance of the SP with that of the BJP and targets the previous administration.
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