Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav has stirred controversy with his casteist remarks about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who was involved in Operation Sindoor. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders.
Speaking at an SP event in Bilari, Muradabad, Yadav referred to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh using a casteist slur, stating, "...They didn’t even know who Vyomika Singh was or what her caste is, nor did they know about Air Marshal A.K. Bharti. Otherwise, they would’ve hurled abuses at them too."
He further added, "Let me tell you — Vyomika Singh is a ‘Jatav Chamar’ from Haryana, and Air Marshal A.K. Bharti is a Yadav from Purnia. All three were from the PDA segment. One was abused because they thought she was Muslim, one was thought to be Rajput, so nothing was said, and about the other, they have no information...On what basis is the BJP trying to take credit for it?"
Yadav’s remarks have gone viral on social media, prompting condemnation from BJP leaders. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath responded to Ram Gopal Yadav's controversial statement, stating, "The uniform of the armed forces should not be viewed through the lens of caste. Every soldier in the Indian Army serves the nation, not any particular caste or religion."
UP Minister Baby Rani Maurya also condemned the statement, saying, "Whether it is Sofia Qureshi or Vyomika Singh, they are India’s daughters. Ram Gopal Yadav’s caste-based comments are deplorable. Dividing the country along caste and religious lines for political gain is unacceptable. Such politics will not earn them Dalit votes."
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi gained attention during press conferences related to Operation Sindoor, where they addressed the media alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The controversy follows earlier backlash over derogatory comments made by a Madhya Pradesh Minister against Colonel Sofia Qureshi, where she was allegedly called the "sister of terrorists".
The BJP has demanded an apology from the SP, while opposition parties have called for restraint in politicising military achievements.
