The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief is accused of disregarding the interests of minorities, particularly Muslims, and fostering a climate of hostility
LUCKNOW — The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in Uttar Pradesh has suffered a massive blow, as more than 200 Muslim officials from various divisions within the party have announced their resignation. The move comes amid growing frustrations over controversial remarks and actions by party president Om Prakash Rajbhar, which the leaders claim have further alienated the Muslim community.
In an unprecedented move, these Muslim leaders, many of whom held prominent positions, left SBSP and joined the Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party. They accused Rajbhar of disregarding the interests of minorities, particularly Muslims, and fostering a climate of hostility within the party.
One of the most vocal critics, former organisation minister Jafar Naqvi, levelled severe allegations against Rajbhar. “Rajbhar has been suppressing the voice of Muslims within the party and has remained silent on crucial issues affecting the community, including attacks on religious shrines and legal madrasas,” Naqvi stated. He added, “In his pursuit of a ministerial position, Rajbhar has forsaken the rights of Muslims and instead promoted only his own caste.”
Naqvi’s allegations have further intensified the growing discontent within the party, with resigning leaders emphasising that Rajbhar’s actions are not just damaging to the party, but are also a threat to the unity of the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh.
The resigning leaders issued a joint letter calling for Rajbhar’s immediate removal from his position as the minority minister. They claimed that Rajbhar had failed to stand up for the rights of Muslims despite being in a position of influence. “Rajbhar continues to claim that he needs additional security from the Centre, which is nothing more than an attempt to display his inflated sense of importance,” the letter read.
The leaders further argued that Rajbhar’s divisive rhetoric and actions were jeopardising the peaceful coexistence of communities. “Rajbhar’s statements are stirring an already sensitive situation,” they remarked, highlighting that his conduct only exacerbated the growing divide.
In response to the mass resignations, political analysts suggest that this could significantly damage the credibility of SBSP, especially among Muslim voters, a community that had been key to its electoral success. The political implications of this rift are yet to fully unfold, but it marks a clear sign of unrest within the party and a shift in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
The situation calls into question not only Rajbhar’s leadership but also the future of SBSP as a force in the state’s politics, particularly in the coming election cycle.
