Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has given the ongoing moustache controversy involving a Mainpuri police officer a new political twist, bringing a 75-year-old party worker with a prominent moustache to the stage during a press conference in Lucknow.
Yadav introduced Jagdish Yadav, a former village pradhan from Lalitpur, and asked him to display his thick moustache in front of the gathering. The SP chief then made a reference to the iconic moustache associated with the character Nathulal from the 1984 Amitabh Bachchan film Sharaabi.
The move came days after a video of Mainpuri City Circle Officer Ashok Kumar Singh showing off his moustache during a heated exchange outside a post-mortem facility went viral on social media. Singh was seen telling people to record the incident and send the video to Akhilesh Yadav.
How the Mainpuri Moustache Controversy Started
The controversy began after a shooting incident in Mainpuri’s Elao police station area in which a truck helper, identified as Subhash Kumar, was killed and the driver was injured.
Tension reportedly followed outside the post-mortem facility as the victim’s relatives and SP supporters sought action in the case. During the exchange, a video was recorded showing CO Ashok Singh reacting angrily while referring to his identity and telling those filming him to send the video to Akhilesh Yadav.
The footage quickly spread online and turned the officer’s moustache-twirling gesture into a political talking point.
Singh later offered his side of the incident, saying the circulating video did not show the complete context. According to his explanation, people present at the spot had accused him of caste-based bias and political involvement, while police action in the murder case was based on available evidence.
Akhilesh Takes a Dig at the Officer
Akhilesh Yadav subsequently shared the video and attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the officer was enjoying the protection of people from his caste.
He also said the SP would not demand the officer’s suspension, suggesting instead that political change in Uttar Pradesh was approaching.
The BJP rejected Akhilesh’s criticism. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi argued that a moustache should not be linked to caste and described it as a traditional symbol of courage and bravery.
‘Moochhen Hon Toh Nathulal Jaisi Hon’
The controversy took another turn when Akhilesh was asked about the officer’s moustache at a press conference.
He responded humorously, saying the officer’s moustache was too small and invoking the famous Nathulal reference from Sharaabi.
Akhilesh then brought Jagdish Yadav into the spotlight as an example of what he considered a more impressive moustache.
Jagdish, who has reportedly maintained his moustache for decades, is a longtime SP supporter. He served as village pradhan for several terms and has been associated with the party since its early years.
The episode transformed what began as a viral police video into a political spectacle, with Akhilesh using humour to continue his criticism of the BJP government.
Moustache Row Takes a Caste-Politics Turn
The political significance of the controversy goes beyond the moustache itself.
Akhilesh has linked the officer’s conduct to his broader criticism of what he describes as caste-based influence under the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP, however, has rejected the charge and accused the SP chief of viewing the issue through a caste lens.
The exchange comes ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, when caste representation, reservation and the political influence of different communities are expected to remain major issues.
For the moment, however, a police officer’s moustache has become an unlikely symbol in the political battle between the SP and BJP.
Akhilesh’s decision to bring a veteran SP worker with a much larger moustache onto the stage has ensured that the Mainpuri controversy remains in the political spotlight — turning a brief viral moment into another talking point in Uttar Pradesh politics.
