ASP chief Azad says religion safe in UP but people face real problems

Chandra Shekhar Azad, national president of Aazad Samaj Party and Nagina MP, told a Bareilly rally on Wednesday that religion is not under threat in Uttar Pradesh, but the people are. Speaking in support of party leader Achchan Ansari, he said education, employment, healthcare, security and dignity are the real concerns for ordinary citizens and political debate should centre on them. He blamed the state government for poor schools, noting that government schools will improve only when children of ministers and officials study there, and questioned how pressure can rise when policy makers send their kids to private schools. On health, Azad said every citizen deserves access to doctors, medicines and diagnostic services in government hospitals. He urged the government to create industrial jobs in Bareilly, pointing to the employment hubs of Noida, Gurugram and Mumbai, and warned that young people should not be forced to migrate for work. He demanded decent honorarium for women health workers such as ASHA and anganwadi staff, calling their role in delivering schemes to villages vital. Referring to recent law‑and‑order incidents, he called for equal application of the law regardless of the accused’s identity and cited the Hathras case and the family of Manisha Valmiki as needing justice and dignity. Azad praised student movements, the Bhim Army and his own party for raising education and youth issues from streets to Parliament, and raised concerns about paper leaks and unemployment. He also pressed for an eight‑hour duty shift and a weekly day off for police personnel. After the speech, he held a roadshow attended by ASP workers and Bhim Army members.

Context

Uttar Pradesh elections often feature religious rhetoric, but Azad’s appeal reflects a growing demand for parties to address basic services and livelihoods as voters evaluate performance.