A Samajwadi Party (SP) leader in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur has been booked for allegedly teaching children "politicised alphabets" at a "PDA Pathshala". The incident has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from SP President Akhilesh Yadav and raising questions about the involvement of children in political activities.

According to reports, the case was registered against Farhad Alam Gada, a local SP leader, after a complaint was filed by Main Singh, a resident of Kallarpur Gurjar village. The complaint alleged that Gada was conducting lessons at a "PDA Pathshala" where children were taught "A for Akhilesh," "B for Babasaheb," "D for Dimple," and "M for Mulayam Singh Yadav". Dimple Yadav is Akhilesh Yadav's wife. Babasaheb refers to B. R. Ambedkar and Mulayam Singh Yadav is the founder of Samajwadi Party.

The matter came to light after a video purportedly filmed at Gada's residence in Ramnagar went viral on social media. The video allegedly showed children, reportedly students from a private school dressed in their uniforms, reciting the "politicised alphabets".

SP City Vyom Bindal confirmed that the FIR was registered based on the complaint filed by Main Singh. The police are currently investigating the matter.

Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticized the state government over the FIR. Reacting to the incident, the former Chief Minister wrote on 'X' (formerly Twitter), "Even the British did not file an FIR for studying. The anti-education face of the BJP has now been exposed to the public. Now the BJP will be gone forever. Condemnable".

In his defense, Farhad Gada stated that the "PDA Pathshala" was not solely focused on teaching the alphabet but aimed to familiarize children with the "great men of Samajwadi ideology". He also expressed his intention to establish similar schools throughout the district.

In a separate incident in Bhadohi, another SP leader and approximately a dozen others have been booked for allegedly involving schoolchildren in a protest against the Uttar Pradesh government's plan to merge schools with low enrollment. The FIR includes charges of misusing government premises, spreading misinformation, and politicizing children. Officials stated that the "PDA Pathshala" in Bilhaur violated multiple rules, including those under the IT Act and the Right to Education (RTE) Act.