“We do not want to mislead people in the name of religion. We want to talk about work, education, science,” Samajwadi Party leader Ramakant Yadav, who previously represented Azamgarh in the Parliament, put across the feeling of the common man. Quietly… That in the era of daily noise on news telection, the veteran politician chose to speak to a YouTube channel The Live TV tells its own story. It is the local journalists, often from ‘smaller’ news websites, publications, and YouTube channels who are asking relevant questions.
Most right-wing affiliated media, who often hold those not in power accountable for things they should be asking the current government questions on, is often shut down by the people most directly affected. When SP leader Yadav was asked his opinion on the media questioning SP MLA Azam Khan, on the Gyanvapi issue as well as party chief Akhilesh Yadav, he minced no words reminding viewers that the real issues were inflation and unemployment, and not the temple-mosque controversy.
“We work on the principle of social justice, we do not want to walk in the name of Hindu Muslim in the country, we want to focus on karma, education and science. Today, many countries of the world are progressing… making new discoveries,” said Yadav, dismissing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s call that all “Hindus must unite beyond political divides.”
According to Ramakant Yadav the country will not progress on the basis of Gyanvapi, Mathura or Ayodhya, but will move forward only through education. “Till our people will not get electricity, clean water, good schools will not be available till then our country will not develop,” said Yadav. “Are our children not worthy or talented? But they have to opt for seeking education in foreign countries due to lack of adequate facilities here. We want our children to get a good education here,” he added.
He also questioned the caste system. “Some people worship Shiva but do not take his prasad, saying he was certainly a tribal king. But I do not want to comment on that irony. I want to talk about education and employment,” said Yadav.
The channel also interviewed ordinary people. An elderly gentleman (so far unidentified), asked, “What progress is this government talking about?” He further said, “Religion will not give us food. Will it? This is the BJP’s way to fool people. They want us all to be poor… roam around in tatters.”
The interview from the ground may be seen here:
Related:
Gyanvapi case: Two Kashi Vishwanath Mahants debunk ‘Shivling’ claims