"Shameful, condemnable": Mayawati hits out at Ram Gopal Yadav over caste-related remark on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 16 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati attacked Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav over the latter's caste-related remarks on Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, stating that it was "unfair" to divide the army based on religion and caste.
She said that Yadav committed the same "mistake" as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Shah, who sparked a political controversy over his remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, which were "shameful and condemnable".
"The entire country is united and proud of the valour of Operation Sindoor of the Indian Army against the terrorists in Pakistan. In such a situation, it is extremely unfair to judge/divide the army on the basis of religion and caste. The mistake that the BJP minister made in this regard, the same was also made today by a senior SP leader, which is shameful and condemnable," Mayawati posted on X.
Her reaction comes after Ram Gopal Yadav said that "these people" would have abused Vyomika Singh and Air Marshal AK Bharti had they known them. The Rajya Sabha MP further went on to identify the officers by caste.
Yadav was referring to remarks made by BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, after which the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered registration of an FIR against him.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Minister Baby Rani Maurya slammed Yadav, condemning the remarks made by him. UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak also criticised the senior leader, saying that his remark has displayed Samajwadi Party's low mentality and anti-woman thoughts.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court criticised Shah for his remarks, saying that the minister must speak with "responsibility." A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustus George Masih said a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible when this country is going through such a situation, and must know what he is saying.
At the outset, CJI asked, "What kind of statement are you making? Such a person holding a constitutional office should be responsible..."
"When this country is going through such a situation... He has to know what he is saying. Just because you are a minister," said Justice Gavai.
The MP High Court had said that if the FIR is not registered by Wednesday evening, the court may contemplate proceeding against the Director General of Police of the State for contempt of the order.
The controversy arose after a video clip of Shah's speech went viral on social media. In his clarification, Shah said his comments were taken out of context and were meant to praise Colonel Qureshi's bravery. (ANI)