A roadside interaction between Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav and spiritual leader Aniruddhacharya Maharaj, also known as "Pookie Baba" on social media, has ignited a controversy surrounding the use of the term "Shudra" and sparked broader debates on caste and religious discourse. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Yadav questioning Aniruddhacharya about his repeated use of the term "Shudra".
Yadav challenged the spiritual leader by referencing the early life of Lord Krishna. He asked Aniruddhacharya, "Krishna ko Maa ne pehli baar kya bola tha?" which translates to, "What did Krishna's mother call him the first time?". Aniruddhacharya responded, "Kanhaiya bola tha," meaning "She called him Kanhaiya". Yadav then replied, "Okay, this is where our path and yours diverge. Ab se fir shudra mat bolna," which translates to, "From now on, don't refer to anyone as Shudra". This exchange highlights Yadav's objection to caste-based labels and the use of the term "Shudra," which is historically associated with the lowest rung of the traditional Indian caste system.
Following the public exchange, Aniruddhacharya addressed the issue during a sermon, although he did not directly name Akhilesh Yadav. He recounted his version of the conversation and implied that Yadav was seeking a predetermined answer rather than engaging in open dialogue. Aniruddhacharya stated, "The person who asks a question already memorises the answer they want to hear". He further added that God has infinite names and that even before Krishna was called Krishna, people referred to him as Lala or used other names in their respective languages. He also subtly reminded the audience of Yadav's former position as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, saying, "That politician had once been Chief Minister, effectively a king. A king should treat his people like his children".
The video of the exchange quickly went viral, sparking diverse reactions and interpretations. Some view Yadav's intervention as a necessary challenge to caste-based discrimination and the perpetuation of outdated social hierarchies. Others interpret Aniruddhacharya's response as a defense of traditional religious understanding and the use of the term "Shudra" within a specific scriptural context.
The incident also brings to light the complexities of navigating caste and religious discourse in contemporary Indian politics. The re-emergence of this old video is not random; it is being linked to recent events, such as disputes involving narrators in Etawah. Akhilesh Yadav has also questioned other narrators, like Dhirendra Shastri. Social media has become a tool where moments from the past are used as weapons in today's political battles. This demonstrates how intertwined religion, caste, and identity politics are.
It is important to note that Aniruddhacharya has faced controversies in the past, including some related to his remarks about women. Additionally, a video from early 2025 showed Aniruddhacharya making a controversial statement about interfaith relations, saying, "Let Hindus come to Makkah Madinah, then Muslims can come to Kumbh Mela".
