UP Vidhan Sabha: SP Legislators Protest In Well Of House Against Yogi Adityanath's Usage Of This Word; 'What Is Unparliamentary In It?' Asks CM

Uttar Pradesh chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly referred to the Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav as “abba jaan" (Urdu term for father) during his speech in the state legislative council on 17 August (Tuesday). Samajwadi Party strongly objected to it and raised protests. Adityanath reportedly made the comment while criticising the Samajwadi Party's alleged duplicity on the vaccination to fight Covid-19.

Adityanath was addressing the state legislative council on efforts from the state administration towards managing the pandemic. He was also mentioning the steps taken for testing and inoculation.

Adityanath reportedly used the term while speaking about Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav's initial reluctance to take the Covid vaccine, further alleging that Yadav changed his mind only after his father, senior SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, took the vaccine.

Reports say that Adityanath said: "Who were those who said we will not take the vaccine?… Who were those personalities who said this is BJP’s vaccine and we will not take it? These people are guilty of the most heinous crime against those who lost their lives due to lack of vaccination." Adityanath reportedly added, "...when ‘abba jaan’ took the vaccine then those people said we are also going to take the vaccine.”

Leaders from the party objected to the comments and alleged that Adityanath used “unparliamentary language”.

"It was a crime against those who lost their lives for the lack of vaccination. They are to be blamed for the crime. These criminals, who were against the vaccine, should be put in the dock. When 'abba jaan' took the vaccine, they said they will also take it," Adityanath has been quoted as adding by the Economic Times in its report.

Adityanath reportedly responded by asking them since when “abba jaan” had become “unparliamentary”, adding that he did not take anyone’s name. On hearing this, SP leaders moved into the well of the House. Adityanath continued with his speech.

Adityanath has earlier used "abba jaan" indirectly for Mulayam Singh Yadav earlier as well -- in the context of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.