'In UP, religion is not in danger; people are', says Chandrashekhar Azad

Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) president and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad on Wednesday sought to shift the political debate in Uttar Pradesh away from religious issues towards education, employment, healthcare, security and dignity, declaring that “religion is not under threat in the state; people are”.

Addressing a rally in Bareilly in support of party leader Achchan Ansari, Azad targeted the Uttar Pradesh government over what he described as shortcomings in public services and employment opportunities. He argued that political discourse should focus on the everyday concerns of citizens rather than repeatedly framing politics around religion.

Focus on schools and healthcare

Education figured prominently in Azad’s address, with the MP arguing that accountability for government schools would improve if the children of ministers, government officials and policymakers studied in them. He questioned how sufficient pressure could be created to improve state-run schools when those responsible for framing policy largely relied on private institutions for their own children.

Azad also raised concerns over government healthcare facilities, saying access to adequate medical care was a right rather than a concession from the state. Government hospitals, he said, should have sufficient doctors, medicines, diagnostic facilities and other essential services so that families were not compelled to depend on expensive private treatment.

His comments formed part of a broader criticism of the state government's performance. The Uttar Pradesh government has maintained that it has expanded infrastructure and public services across the state, while opposition parties have continued to question the quality and accessibility of education and healthcare.

Jobs and migration raised

Employment was another major theme of Azad's speech. Pointing to employment opportunities available in cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Mumbai, he argued that Bareilly and other parts of Uttar Pradesh should also be capable of attracting industries and generating sufficient jobs.

“Young people should not be forced to migrate to other cities and states in search of employment,” he said.

Azad also questioned the government over unemployment and recruitment examination paper leaks, issues that have repeatedly triggered protests by aspirants in Uttar Pradesh. He said his party and the Bhim Army had continued to raise issues concerning students and young people “from the streets to Parliament”.

The Nagina MP sought to connect employment with the wider question of regional development, arguing that creating opportunities closer to people's homes could reduce the need for young workers to move to major metropolitan centres.

ASHA, anganwadi workers find mention

Azad also raised the remuneration paid to ASHA and anganwadi workers, arguing that women working at the grassroots deserved better compensation. These workers, he said, played an important role in delivering healthcare, nutrition programmes and government schemes in villages.

He called for what he described as dignified remuneration for their work, placing the issue alongside education, employment and healthcare as concerns that should receive greater political attention.

His remarks sought to broaden the rally beyond conventional party politics by focusing on groups that form an important part of the public-service network at the village level.

Questions raised over law and order

Azad also criticised the state government on law and order, citing incidents that he said raised concerns over the safety of ordinary citizens. He argued that the law should operate uniformly and that police action should depend on the alleged offence rather than the identity of the accused.

Referring to the Hathras case involving the family of a young Dalit woman who died in 2020 after an assault, Azad said victims and their families must receive justice and dignity.

The reference came amid Azad's continuing emphasis on issues affecting Dalits and other marginalised communities. The Bhim Army founder has built much of his political profile around questions of social justice, caste discrimination, education and constitutional rights.

Eight-hour shifts sought for police

Azad also turned attention to the working conditions of police personnel, an issue less frequently raised in political rallies. He advocated an eight-hour duty system and one weekly day off for police personnel, arguing that their working conditions should also be treated as a public policy concern.

“Police personnel, too, are part of society and should be provided better working conditions,” he said.

Long working hours and manpower requirements have periodically figured in discussions over police reforms across states. Azad argued that improving working conditions for personnel should form part of a wider discussion on strengthening law enforcement.

Azad pushes party's UP pitch

The rally comes as Azad seeks to expand the organisational footprint of the Aazad Samaj Party beyond the constituencies where the party and the Bhim Army have established a visible presence.

Azad's victory from Nagina in the 2024 Lok Sabha election gave the party its first parliamentary breakthrough. Since then, he has sought to position issues such as education, employment, social justice and representation prominently in the party's political campaigns.

Wednesday's speech followed that approach. Rather than limiting his attack to a single issue, Azad linked schools, hospitals, jobs, remuneration for grassroots workers, policing and law and order to his argument that political attention should be directed towards the material concerns of citizens.

After the public meeting, Azad held a roadshow in Bareilly attended by workers of the Aazad Samaj Party and the Bhim Army.