“What can be expected from Akhileshuddin?”: SP Chief Akhilesh Yadas gets schooled by netizens after he criticised Ayodhya Diwali Deepotsav and praised Christmas celebration

While preparations for the upcoming Diwali are in full swing across the country, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav is irritated by the joy of the people. This year, his irritation is directed at the lamps lit on Diwali. His recent statement made it clear that he likes the Christian festival of Christmas more than Diwali, and sees the lighting of lamps on the Hindu festival of Diwali as a waste of money. Akhilesh Yadav said that lighting diyas on Diwalil is ‘waste of money’, and instead people should use electric lights for decoration like Christians do on Chirstmas. During a press conference held on Dhanteras (October 18, 2025) in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said, “I would like to make a suggestion in the name of Lord Ram. During Christmas, cities are illuminated for months. Learn from them. Why spend so much money on lamps and candles again and again? What can we expect from this government? It should be removed. We will ensure that there are even more beautiful lights here…” #WATCH | Lucknow | SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "… I dont want to give a suggestion. But I will give one suggestion on the name of Lord Ram. In the entire world, all the cities get illuminated during Christmas. And that goes on for months. We should learn from them. Why do we… pic.twitter.com/HAL47migCC— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025 Akhilesh’s statement outraged people on social media Akhilesh Yadav’s suggestion on Diwali reflects his hatred for Hindu festivals. His statement attracted backlash from Hindus on social media. Some people on social media expressed suspicion about whether Akhilesh was even a Hindu. A social media user referred to Akhilesh Yadav as ‘Akhileshuddin’ and said, “What can be expected from ‘Akhileshuddin?” An X user said, “Now Akhilesh Yadav has a problem with diyas and candles. Now, the people of Uttar Pradesh have to question whether he is a Christian or a Muslim”. @yadavakhilesh को अब दियों और मोमबत्ती से भी दिक्कत हो गई है …..अखिलेश यादव का बयान —: "पूरी दुनिया में क्रिसमस के दौरान सभी शहर रोशन हो जाते हैं। और यह महीनों तक चलता है। हमें उनसे सीखना चाहिए। हमें दीयों और मोमबत्तियों पर पैसा क्यों खर्च करना है और इसके लिए इतना सोचना क्यों… pic.twitter.com/tRiZa36psC— जयक्रित सिंह (@Aswal__JS__143) October 18, 2025 Another user wrote, “We’ve seen many great leaders, but none like this one, who can’t even make his own stand clear. After all, this leader, who specialises in building his political career by misleading people and giving false assurances in the name of PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak), has now started insulting Hindus while opposing Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and upper castes. While on one hand, our brothers and sisters from the Kumhaar (potter) caste work hard all year to make lamps for the Diwali festival, on the other hand, this gentleman, citing the example of Christmas, asks people to hang lights. Should the people of Sanatan Dharma take inspiration from Christmas…?” एक से बढ़कर एक नेता देखे पर इन के जैसा कोई नहीं जो खुद ही अपना स्टैंड क्लियर नहीं कर पाए.आखिर PDA के नाम पर लोगों को गुमराह कर झूठी तसल्ली दे अपना राजनीतिक कैरियर बनाने में माहिर नेता जी ब्राह्मणों,क्षत्रियों और सर्वणों का विरोध करते करते हिन्दुओं का अभी अपमान करने लगे।एक तरफ… pic.twitter.com/tARAoamzWs— Himanshu Dwivedi(Legal Journalist) (@Dwivedihd92) October 19, 2025 Another social media user asked Akhilesh Yadav to offer similar advice for the festival of Eid. The user wrote, “Similarly, why sacrifice animals every year on Eid? If you do it once, isn’t that enough? Save money and maybe an innocent animal. Why cut down trees every year on Christmas?” Akhilesh Yadav Says "Learn from Foreign countries, On Christmas they decorate for entire month. Why Purchase Candles, Diya and Crackers on Diwali?"He is Right. Same way why Sacrifice Animals every year on EID. If you have done once is it not enough? Save money and Perhaps a… pic.twitter.com/qAevPPCg3I— Abhay (@KaunHaiAbhay) October 19, 2025 Evidently, Hindus are outraged over Akhilesh Yadav’s Hinduphobic statement, terming Hindu celebrations as a waste of money. The Hindus understand the significance of lighting diyas on Diwali, something the SP supremo, despite being a Hindu, probably doesn’t. Akhilesh Yadav should understand that the festival of lights is not just a religious tradition but also has spiritual and social significance. Importance of lighting a lamp The tradition of Deepotsav is not just a religious ritual but is also deeply connected with our culture, consciousness and socio-economic life. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and truth over falsehood. From a religious and spiritual perspective, the Hindu tradition considers the lamp to be the light representing the soul and the divine energy. The light of the lamp not only dispels external darkness but also illuminates the darkness of inner thoughts, emotions, despair, and negativity. Similarly, on a social and economic lev