Lucknow, July 28, 2025 – A Muslim cleric, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, faces legal action after making offensive remarks about Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav during a televised debate, sparking widespread outrage. The Lucknow Police filed an FIR against Rashidi on Sunday evening, July 27, following a complaint by resident Pravesh Yadav. The comments, linked to Dimple Yadav’s recent mosque visit, have been called misogynistic and divisive, prompting anger across Uttar Pradesh. Here’s the latest on this unfolding controversy.
Details of the Incident and FIR
The controversy erupted after Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, commented on Dimple Yadav’s attire during her July 24 visit to the Sansad Marg mosque in Delhi with SP leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and MP Iqra Hasan. In a TV debate, Rashidi’s remarks were deemed derogatory, targeting Dimple’s choice to not cover her head and back were seen as disrespectful to women. Pravesh Yadav’s complaint, filed at Vibhuti Khand police station, accused Rashidi of making inflammatory statements that could stir communal tension. The FIR includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for insulting a woman’s modesty, promoting enmity, and threatening national unity, along with sections of the IT Act for spreading the remarks online.
Political and Public Reaction
The incident triggered strong reactions, with NDA MPs, led by BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj, protesting at Parliament’s Makar Dwar on Monday, holding signs condemning attacks on women’s dignity. SP leaders and Dimple Yadav welcomed the FIR but criticized the BJP for selective outrage, pointing to their silence on issues like Manipur’s violence. Rashidi defended his comments, calling them misinterpreted and claiming the term he used was common in his community, but this only fueled further backlash.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Lucknow Police, under DCP Shashank Singh, are investigating Rashidi’s statements, reviewing debate footage and social media posts. The case has sparked discussions about respecting women in public discourse and avoiding communal rhetoric. This incident highlights the need for responsible speech, especially in sensitive settings, as Uttar Pradesh navigates this high-profile controversy.
