Lucknow, May 10 -- In a calculated political move to reclaim cultural icons and widen his support base, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday made a bold outreach to the Rajput community by donning the traditional Mewari Safa and demanding a two-day public holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap.
The gesture, made during a press conference at SP headquarters in Lucknow, came amidst backlash over controversial remarks by a senior SP leader against Rajput king Rana Sanga.
"Maharana Pratap is not the pride of a single caste - he is a national hero who symbolises courage and resistance, values that transcend caste lines," said Akhilesh, addressing a gathering that included prominent Kshatriya leaders and intellec...