Samajwadi party, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav triggered a major controversy with caste-based remarks about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a speech in Moradabad on May 15, 2025.
SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav alleged that BJP supporters targeted Colonel Sofiya Qureshi due to her Muslim identity and suggested that Vyomika Singh, who led briefings during Operation Sindoor, was spared abuse because BJP minister Vijay Shah assumed she was Rajput.
He further stated, “Vyomika Singh is a Jatav from Haryana, and Air Marshal Bharti is a Yadav from Purnia,” linking their identities to the SP’s PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) framework.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP, with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath calling them a “grave insult” to the armed forces and accusing Yadav of narrow-minded thinking.
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya labeled Vyomika Singh as “India’s pride” and condemned the SP for disrespecting her by referencing her caste.
BJP leader Aparna Yadav demanded an unconditional apology from Yadav and the INDIA bloc, stating such comments were against Indian traditions.
BSP chief Mayawati also slammed Yadav, calling it “shameful” to divide the army based on caste or religion.
Ram Gopal Yadav defended himself
Ram Gopal Yadav defended himself on May 16, 2025, claiming his statement was misunderstood and aimed at highlighting the “corrupt mentality” of those who target individuals based on caste or religion.
He accused the Uttar Pradesh government of atrocities against minorities, Dalits, and backward classes, including fake cases and property seizures based on caste.
However, his clarification did little to quell the outrage, with the Vishva Hindu Parishad filing a police complaint against him in Moradabad.
The controversy has fueled a political storm, with critics arguing Yadav’s remarks undermine the secular ethos of the armed forces, while his supporters claim he was exposing systemic biases.
Ram Gopal Yadav’s caste-based remarks about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Ram Gopal Yadav’s caste-based remarks about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on May 15, 2025, have significantly damaged the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) political standing, intensifying existing challenges and exposing internal contradictions. The controversy has sparked widespread backlash, with implications for the SP’s image, voter base, and alliances.
Key Political Impacts: Erosion of Public Image and Secular Credibility:Yadav’s remarks, which linked the castes of IAF officers to political narratives, were widely condemned as disrespectful to the armed forces’ secular ethos. The BJP, BSP, and other critics, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP chief Mayawati, accused the SP of divisive casteist politics, undermining national unity.
The controversy has tarnished the SP’s claim to represent inclusive “PDA” (Picchda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) politics, as Yadav’s comments were seen as reducing military heroes to caste identities. This has alienated urban voters and those who prioritize national pride, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the SP is a major opposition force.
BJP’s Aggressive Counter-Narrative: The BJP capitalized on the issue to portray the SP as anti-national and caste-obsessed, reinforcing its own image as a defender of the armed forces. Leaders like Yogi Adityanath and Gaurav Bhatia labeled Yadav’s remarks a “grave insult” and reflective of the SP’s “core character.
”This has put the SP on the defensive, forcing it to clarify its stance while the BJP amplifies the narrative to sway undecided voters, especially in the context of upcoming electoral battles. The BJP’s swift response, including demands for apologies, has kept the SP under pressure.
Internal Party Tensions and Leadership Challenges: The controversy has highlighted fissures within the SP. While Yadav defended his remarks as a critique of “corrupt mentalities,” the party’s women’s wing leader, Juhi Singh, indirectly criticized such comments as diminishing military valor.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has remained notably silent, drawing criticism on Social Media platforms for failing to address or condemn Ram Gopal Yadav’s statement. This risks alienating younger, progressive supporters who expect decisive leadership.
The lack of a unified party response could weaken Akhilesh’s authority and embolden critics within and outside the party.
Alienation of Key Voter Groups: The SP’s core base includes OBCs (notably Yadavs), Dalits, and Muslims. However, the remarks, especially the alleged use of a caste slur (as claimed on X), have offended Dalit communities, a critical vote bank. Mayawati’s condemnation as BSP chief could pull Dalit voters away from the SP toward the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.
Muslims, another key SP constituency, may feel sidelined as the focus on caste overshadows the party’s minority outreach, especially after Yadav’s reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s targeting.
The SP’s attempt to appeal to Jatavs and other Dalit sub-groups through Yadav’s “PDA” framing backfired, as it was perceived as pandering rather than genuine representation.
Impact on INDIA Alliance Dynamics: The controversy has strained the SP’s position within the INDIA bloc. BJP leaders demanded an apology from the entire alliance, putting pressure on allies like the Congress to distance themselves or risk being tainted by association.
The SP’s allies may view such controversies as liabilities, potentially weakening coalition unity ahead of national or state elections. This could force Akhilesh Yadav to adopt a more cautious approach, limiting the SP’s aggressive posturing against the BJP.
Social Media and Public Sentiment: Posts on Social Media reflect intense public outrage, with users accusing the SP of hypocrisy for not condemning Yadav’s remarks while criticizing BJP leaders for similar missteps.
Hashtags like #RamGopalYadav trended, amplifying demands for accountability.
The controversy has fueled a narrative of the SP as outdated and caste-obsessed, potentially alienating younger voters and urban professionals who engage heavily on social media.
Legal and Electoral Risks: The Vishva Hindu Parishad’s police complaint against Yadav in Moradabad could escalate into legal trouble, further damaging the SP’s reputation.
With Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape already polarized, the SP risks losing ground in key constituencies if the BJP sustains its narrative of the SP disrespecting national heroes. This could impact by-elections or the 2027 state assembly polls.
SP’s Response and Mitigation Efforts: Ram Gopal Yadav’s clarification on May 16, 2025, framed his remarks as a critique of caste-based biases in law enforcement and BJP supporters, but it failed to quell the backlash.
Other SP leaders, like Udaiveer Singh, deflected by questioning the BJP’s inaction against those who targeted Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, attempting to shift the narrative to BJP’s alleged communalism.
The party’s silence on the alleged caste slur and Akhilesh’s lack of direct intervention suggest a strategy of weathering the storm, which may backfire if public anger persists.
Long-Term Implications: The SP’s brand as a progressive, inclusive opposition force has taken a hit, reinforcing perceptions of it as a regional, caste-driven party. This could limit its appeal beyond Uttar Pradesh.
The controversy may force the SP to recalibrate its messaging, emphasizing unity and nationalism to counter BJP’s narrative. However, this risks diluting its core PDA strategy.
If Dalit and Muslim voters drift toward the BSP or Congress, the SP’s electoral prospects in Uttar Pradesh could weaken, especially in a multi-cornered contest with the BJP’s dominant machinery.
In summary, Ram Gopal Yadav’s remarks have handed the BJP a potent weapon to undermine the SP’s credibility, strained its voter base, and exposed leadership vulnerabilities. The SP’s ability to recover depends on swift damage control, a unified stance, and a shift away from caste-centric rhetoric—challenges it has struggled to meet historically.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveraged the controversy sparked by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav’s caste-based remarks about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on May 15, 2025, to execute a calculated political strategy aimed at consolidating its voter base, weakening the SP, and reinforcing its nationalist image.
The BJP’s strategy in response to Ram Gopal Yadav’s remarks is multifaceted, combining nationalist rhetoric, caste-based voter fragmentation, media dominance, and opposition discrediting to maximize political capital.
By framing the SP as casteist and anti-national, the BJP has strengthened its position in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, while exposing the SP’s vulnerabilities.
However, the strategy’s long-term success depends on sustaining public outrage without alienating moderate voters, a balancing act the BJP has navigated effectively thus far.