New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has once again stirred controversy with a biting remark while declining the Y-category security provided by the Uttar Pradesh government. The veteran politician, known for his fiery speeches and emotional outbursts, said he does not wish to accept government protection, citing financial struggles and past humiliation.
His statement – “In Parliament and the Assembly, they’ll say I was a good man, but no one will say I was accused of stealing hens, goats, and buffaloes” quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions across social media and political circles.
Refuses Security, cites financial Strain
Khan explained that he cannot bear the financial costs associated with the security cover. “My financial condition is not good. I can’t even arrange a vehicle for the security personnel,” he said, adding that he has been fined ₹36 lakh and sentenced to several years in multiple cases.
He made it clear that he will not accept the Y-category security until the government provides official documentation clarifying the terms and category of the protection. “The government should specify under which category this security has been granted. Only then will I consider accepting it,” he said.
Khan also questioned the need for such security, remarking, “Even if something happens to me, who will it matter to?”
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav meets Azam Khan in Rampur. Click here for details
Legal Troubles
Azam Khan’s comment about being accused of “stealing hens and buffaloes” refers to real cases filed against him in the past. The 2019 goat theft case, registered at Rampur’s Kotwali police station, alleged that Khan and seven others — including the chairmen of both Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards — forcibly entered a woman’s home, vandalized it, and stole livestock and jewelry.
The complainant, Naseema Khatoon, claimed that Khan’s associates demanded she vacate her home on waqf land, allegedly for a school project. The FIR named Khan, Waseem Rizvi (then Shia Waqf Board chairman), Zufar Ahmed Farooqui (Sunni Waqf Board chairman), and Aaley Hasan, a former police officer.
By 2019, Khan reportedly faced 82 criminal cases, including charges of land grabbing, theft, and criminal intimidation. He was also declared a “land mafia” by the state government.
Troubled Past and Political Fallout?
Khan’s tenure has been marked by legal and political turbulence. After spending time in Sitapur Jail, the senior SP leader often speaks publicly about his prison experience and the humiliation he endured. His latest comments, filled with irony and bitterness, reflect both personal pain and political defiance.
Observers believe his remarks are aimed at highlighting what he considers the political misuse of legal machinery during previous regimes. Since his release, he has maintained a low profile but occasionally surfaces with emotionally charged statements that reignite public debate.
Akhilesh Yadav In Presser: “I stand with Azam Khan, will meet him 8 October !”
Public Reaction and Political Significance
Azam Khan’s statement has triggered a wave of reactions — some sympathizing with his plight, others accusing him of playing the victim card. His remarks also raise questions about the state’s handling of opposition leaders and the blurred line between politics and personal vendettas in Uttar Pradesh.
While Khan insists he neither needs nor can afford security, his words have ensured that his political presence remains impossible to ignore.