NDA MPs Protest Over Maulana’s Derogatory Remarks Against Dimple Yadav as INDIA Bloc Continues Own Agitation

A heated standoff unfolded outside Parliament on Monday as National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs staged a strong protest against Islamic cleric Maulana Sajid Rashidi for his derogatory remarks against Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav. The MPs held placards that said, “Nari garima par prahar, nahi karenge kabhi bhi sweekar” (“We will not tolerate any attack on women’s dignity) in a united show of solidarity against the cleric’s comments.

The controversy began when Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association (AIIA), made inflammatory and misogynistic remarks about Dimple Yadav during a televised panel discussion. The cleric criticised Dimple Yadav for attending a Samajwadi Party meeting at the Sansad Marg mosque in Delhi without covering her head. In his comments, Rashidi reportedly made an objectionable remark about Dimple Yadav’s attire, saying, “Look at her (Dimple Yadav’s) back. It is naked.” These comments have sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from across party lines and among citizens.

Advertisement

The Lucknow Police registered an FIR against Maulana Sajid Rashidi late Sunday for allegedly making inflammatory and misogynistic comments against Dimple Yadav.

Though the FIR has brought some relief to Dimple Yadav and her supporters, the debate over the cleric’s remarks has ignited a larger conversation about respect for women in public spaces.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc continued its protest outside Parliament, targeting the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Bihar. Senior leaders, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, gathered at the Parliament’s Makar Dwar, raising slogans and demanding an immediate halt to the revision process. The opposition parties claim the exercise is selectively targeting marginalised and migrant communities, calling it a form of “institutional voter cleansing” designed to benefit the ruling NDA.

The dual protests highlight the growing tension between the ruling and opposition parties, with both sides digging in for what promises to be a contentious Monsoon Session of Parliament. As the protests continue, the demand for respect and dignity for women in public life remains at the forefront, with the NDA MPs standing firm in their condemnation of Maulana Sajid Rashidi’s remarks.