By Mohammad Tarique Saleem
In a bold and emotionally charged message that is resonating across political and social circles, Aditi Yadav, daughter of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, has voiced sharp criticism against the Uttar Pradesh government’s educational policies. Through a post on her X account, she passionately defended the value of education and questioned the intentions behind the closure of thousands of schools across the state.
Her post read, “If the person who shut down 27,000 schools in Uttar Pradesh is considered great, then the one who distributed 1.8 million laptops in Uttar Pradesh is not just great, but he is like God.” This powerful statement was seen as a direct reference to the educational reforms brought in during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure, which included the widespread distribution of laptops to promote digital learning among the youth.
Aditi’s words carried more than just political rhetoric, they reflected a deep concern for the future of education in Uttar Pradesh. Emphasizing the transformative power of knowledge, she added, “Education is like a lioness’s milk, the more one drinks it, the louder one will roar.” She attributed this thought to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, whose vision for an empowered, educated society continues to inspire generations.
What made her message particularly striking was the accusation that the current government is trying to erase Ambedkar’s golden ideals. “This Manuwadi (casteist) government is attempting to destroy Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy. It is not just disappointing, it is shameful,” she wrote. Her use of the word “Manuwadi” signals criticism of a governance model rooted in caste hierarchy, one that she believes is suppressing the very foundation of social upliftment, education.
Aditi Yadav’s remarks have sparked widespread debate, with many youth leaders and Ambedkarite voices echoing her concerns. While some see this as a young leader finding her political voice, others believe it’s a wake-up call to revisit the priorities of governance in the largest state of India.
In an era where education should be the foremost tool of empowerment, her message serves as a reminder that shutting the doors of schools is not just administrative failure, it is a blow to the dreams of millions. Through her powerful words, Aditi Yadav has reignited the conversation about what kind of future we are building for our children.
