Who Is the SP MLA Who Said ‘Jinnah Sahib’? BJP Alleges Breach of Assembly Decorum

A political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Manoj Paras referred to Mohammad Ali Jinnah as ‘Jinnah Sahib’ during a discussion in the state Assembly. The remark, made during the ongoing winter session, has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the SP legislator of undermining the dignity of the House and demanded strict action.

What Sparked the Controversy

During a debate related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, Manoj Paras argued that a large number of Muslims did not migrate to Pakistan at the time of Partition despite Jinnah’s call. In this context, he used the term “Jinnah Sahib,” which immediately triggered uproar in the Assembly.

The BJP strongly objected to the reference, terming it inappropriate and unacceptable within the legislative forum. The party alleged that glorifying or showing reverence to a figure associated with India’s Partition amounted to a serious breach of parliamentary decorum. Videos of the statement have since gone viral on social media, further intensifying the political row.

Who Is Manoj Paras?

Manoj Paras is a senior Samajwadi Party leader and a three-time MLA from the Nagina reserved constituency in Bijnor district. He has established Nagina as his political stronghold by winning consecutively in 2012, 2017, and 2022.

In the 2022 Assembly elections, Paras defeated BJP candidate Dr. Yashwant Singh by a margin of over 6,500 votes. Notably, he also retained his seat during the 2017 elections, held amid a strong BJP wave across the state.

Paras is the son of Amar Singh, is 53 years old, and has studied up to the first year of graduation from Garhwal University, Srinagar. Professionally associated with agriculture, he declared assets worth approximately ₹4.19 crore in his 2022 election affidavit, along with liabilities of around ₹27 lakh.

What Did the MLA Say?

Elaborating on his argument, Manoj Paras questioned the government’s intent behind demanding extensive documentation for inclusion in voter lists. He alleged that the SIR process resembled an attempt to introduce an NRC-like exercise, particularly targeting Muslims.

He asked whether Muslims were being viewed with suspicion despite their contributions to India’s freedom struggle. “Did Muslims not sacrifice for the country’s independence? Did they not shed blood for freedom?” he asked in the House.

Referring to Partition, Paras stated that Muslims who chose to stay back in India did so by placing faith in the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and not all followed Jinnah’s call to migrate to Pakistan.

Remarks on Muslim Identity

The SP MLA further asserted that no community loved the soil of the nation more than Muslims. He remarked that Muslims bow their heads in prayer on this land five times a day and are ultimately buried in the same soil after death, emphasizing their deep-rooted connection to the country.

Political Fallout

While the Samajwadi Party has not officially distanced itself from Paras’s remarks, the BJP has continued to press for disciplinary action, asserting that the statement hurt national sentiment and the sanctity of the Assembly.

The episode has added another layer to the charged political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, with the issue likely to reverberate both inside and outside the legislature in the coming days.