- By Shubham Bajpai
- Mon, 28 Jul 2025 06:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
All Indian Imam Association's president, Maulana Sajid Rashid, has been booked in Lucknow over his controversial remarks against Samajwadi Party MP and party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife, Dimple Yadav.
The FIR was registered at Gomti Nagar's Vibhuti Khand Police Station on the complaint of a local resident named Pravesh Yadav, who claimed to have been associated with the Samajwadi Party. Rashidi has been booked under BNS sections 79,196,197,299,352,353c and IT Act.
After Rashidi's comments went viral, the ruling NDA MPs staged a protest in the Parliament premises. They held placards reading, "Nari garima par prahar, nahi karenge kabhi bhi sweekar". The protesting MPs called the comments 'misogynistic and inflammatory.'
What's the controversy?
Last week, a delegation of Samajwadi Party leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, Dharmendra Yadav, Zia ur Rahman Barq, Iqra Hasan, and others. A photograph of the visit was shared on social media by the BJP, which was shown by Rashidi on a live TV debate, questioning the dressing sense of the Mainpuri MP.
Rashidi pointed out that Iqra Hasan was in full Islamic attire while she visited the mosque, but Dimple's back was visible, for which he used a derogatory word.
Rashidi was slammed for his statement by the ruling NDA and the opposition alike. Iqra Hasan, who was present at the mosque, has also criticised Rashidi for his remarks.
She said, "It is a very shameful statement. If such statements are made against a woman who is a public representative and member of the biggest panchayat (Parliament), then what message are we giving to the common women of the society? It is an indecent and unfortunate remark. Strict action should be taken against such people. They should be boycotted socially. They are not any religious leaders or 'Thekedar' of the religion. They have no right to make such comments for any woman..."
Similarly Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said, "It is their 'sanskar', beware, what do they think about women, they get birth by a woman, be it any woman, nobody should talk like this."
What did Dimple Yadav say?
Dimple Yadav also reacted to the controversy and welcomed the FIR against Rashidi while also raising questions on the NDA MPs protesting in the Parliament premises.
She said, "It's good what is happening, it is good that FIR was registered. It would have been better if they would have protested when the incidents against women happened in Manipur."
Sajid Rashidi defends his remarks
Despite criticism, Rashidi has remained defiant and stood by his remarks. Reacting to the controversy, Rashidi said, "Dimple Yadav didn't abide by Islamic beliefs while sitting in the mosque."
"Iqra Hasan's ear and nose are covered. On the other hand, there is Dimple Yadav. The question is, will Akhilesh Yadav file an FIR against the person who took this picture?" Rashidi said.
He attacked Dimple's attire, saying it was not "in accordance with the Islamic principles". He said he will apologise after Akhilesh and Dimple apologise as 'mosque is not a Parliament.
"I will apologise if they (Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav) apologise... A mosque is not a Parliament. An actress who works in movies half-naked comes fully covered to the Parliament. Then, should the dignity of a mosque be maintained?" he added.