Local Muslims express outrage at SP’s inaction, claiming leaders ignored their appeals and prioritised politics over safety and protection of their heritage
FATEHPUR — Muslims in this Uttar Pradesh city are dismayed and angry with the opposition parties, especially Samajwadi Party (SP), as they claim no leader stood by the community as Hindutva groups vandalised the over 200-year-old mausoleum of Nawab Abdus Samad.
The vandalisation led to widespread anger among the Muslim community. The incident began when Hindutva stormed into the building claiming it to be a temple and hoisted a saffron flag there. The hooliganism prompted retaliation from local Muslims, who reportedly threw stones at the Hindutva elements.
A strong police presence managed to control the situation after considerable effort, but tensions remain high. The dispute has left the Muslim community questioning their long-standing support for political parties, especially the Samajwadi Party, which many feel abandoned them.
“SP leaders have ignored us completely. We made them win MP, MLA, and chairman seats, but not a single leader came to support our community when our mausoleum was attacked,” said one local youth, reflecting the frustration of many in Fatehpur.
Residents pointed out that Fatehpur, situated between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, has traditionally maintained Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, a culture of communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims. “Some people want to disturb our peaceful coexistence, but instead of helping, our own leaders left us alone,” said Aamir Khan, a local resident.
Local Muslims also expressed disappointment with Chandraprakash Lodhi, the SP MLA from the area. “We tried contacting MLA Chandraprakash Lodhi and other senior SP leaders, including the state president, but no one responded. We feel completely cheated,” said Yasmin Begum, a community member.
This sense of betrayal has prompted many Muslims to voice their anger on social media, calling for a boycott of the Samajwadi Party in upcoming elections. “We supported SP and trusted them, but their silence shows that our community matters little to them beyond votes,” said Tariq Ali, a local shopkeeper.
The political context adds more complexity. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, SP formed an alliance with the Congress to consolidate Muslim votes. SP contested 311 seats while Congress contested 114, yet both parties suffered severe losses. SP secured only 47 seats, its lowest in history, while Congress managed just seven.
Looking ahead to the 2027 assembly elections, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav is reportedly aware that relying on the Congress may not be possible due to potential seat-sharing conflicts. Analysts suggest he will seek support from smaller parties while trying to regain trust among Muslim voters, whose loyalty has shifted following repeated political neglect.
“After incidents like the Fatehpur mausoleum clash, it is clear that both SP and Congress have treated Muslims as a vote bank rather than citizens whose rights and safety deserve protection,” said Dr Shabbir Ahmad, a political analyst based in Lucknow.
With elections approaching, political parties including Mayawati’s BSP and Congress are expected to take steps to gain Muslim votes. However, community leaders emphasise that their support cannot be taken for granted. “We will no longer remain silent. Our rights, heritage, and safety must come first, not political calculations,” said Amina Khatoon, a senior member of the Fatehpur Muslim Welfare Society.
The Fatehpur mausoleum dispute is a reminder of the fragile communal harmony in parts of Uttar Pradesh and the growing demand for political accountability. Muslims in the region are united in their call for respect, protection of religious sites, and genuine support from the political leaders they have long trusted.
