Lucknow: On Monday, Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party, cautioned administrative officials in Gorakhpur against involving children in political matters after a video surfaced online featuring a schoolgirl who resumed her education due to the intervention of the Uttar Pradesh government.

In the video, the girl can be heard stating, “Yogi acche hain, Akhilesh bure”. Yadav addressed reporters at the party headquarters, saying, “I have seen the video. We provided assistance to the girl, yet she claims Yogi ji is good, and I am bad. Until now, I thought there was some goodness in us. I thank the sister, the daughter, for revealing that we are indeed bad. Those who offer help in times of need are considered bad,” he remarked, laced with sarcasm.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh urged the administration to show restraint, stating, “Children should not be utilized for political purposes. It is a perilous game. One can never predict when loyalty may change or when personal interests may take precedence. Situations can alter everything.” He added, “This is a game for adults. My sole request to the government, IAS officers, and the District Magistrate of Gorakhpur is — do not involve children in this.”

Tension has arisen in the Uttar Pradesh town following the desecration of a Sufi saint’s tomb.

Yadav remarked, “I believe I should also take a two- or three-week leave to reflect on myself. At this moment, I am the bad one.”

His comments followed an encounter between schoolgirl Pankhuri Tripathi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a Janata Darshan on July 1, where he assured her of school admission after she requested a fee waiver.

Initially, she faced challenges in securing admission as the school principal allegedly did not respond favorably.

Yadav subsequently posted on X in support of the girl, stating that party leaders had offered her assistance.

The girl confirmed to reporters in Gorakhpur that representatives from the Samajwadi Party had approached her with financial support.