Lucknow: The controversy surrounding Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and MP Dimple Yadav’s visit to a mosque has taken a sharper turn with Uttar Pradesh Minister for Minority Welfare Danish Azad Ansari calling the act “inappropriate” and demanding an apology from the SP leadership for hurting religious sentiments.

Ansari emphasized that mosques are meant solely for worship and not for political engagement. “No one should misuse religious places for political gain. If a party holds meetings in a mosque, it owes an apology to the Muslim community,” he said. Referring to Maulana Sajid Rashidi’s controversial remarks on Dimple Yadav’s attire, Ansari urged religious leaders to act with responsibility and refrain from becoming party spokespeople. He stated that no political activity had ever been carried out in a mosque by BJP leaders. While some clerics defended SP’s mosque visit, Ansari questioned their stance, stating, “Ordinary Muslims are not in support of such moves.”

He added that if needed, the Waqf Board would issue further guidelines to ensure that mosques remain places of prayer, not platforms for political narratives.