Akhilesh Yadav Demands KGMU Be Demolished, Claims Targeting of Religious Sites

Lucknow: The political debate over King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow escalated on Saturday after Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav made a controversial statement demanding the university be demolished. Speaking on the administration’s notice to remove illegal shrines in and around the KGMU campus, Yadav said, “If the same standard applies to demolish structures based on religious affiliation, then KGMU should also be torn down because it was built by Christians.”

Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for what he called “one-sided actions targeting religious sites” and questioned whether there was an attempt to erase history and heritage. “If the argument is that a structure on certain land is illegal or associated with a specific community, then KGMU should also be demolished as it was built by Christians,” he added.

Concerns Over Voter List Revisions and Election Integrity

In the same press conference, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister raised concerns over the revision of the voter list (SIR) and the fairness of the electoral process. Yadav alleged that despite assurances from the Election Commission that no voter would be excluded after SIR, discrepancies were emerging on the ground.

He accused the ruling BJP of manipulating by-elections, claiming entire polling booths were compromised and CCTV footage was deliberately withheld from political parties. Yadav said multiple irregularities, including duplicate entries in the voter list, were taking place due to flaws in Booth Level Officer (BLO) training, which he said had even cost lives. He urged the Election Commission to act responsibly and ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

Call for Transparency and Opposition Support

Akhilesh Yadav demanded that the Election Commission share CCTV footage, address voter list discrepancies, and cooperate with the opposition to maintain public trust in democracy. He emphasized that impartiality and strict action against irregularities are the constitutional responsibilities of the Election Commission.

Tribute to Karpoori Thakur

Recalling the legacy of former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, Yadav said Thakur worked to ensure justice for the poor and marginalized while promoting the principles of B.R. Ambedkar. “Thakur rose from a humble background to the top of Bihar and Indian politics, tackling challenges with courage and political acumen. Today, we need to learn from his example,” he said.