Samajwadi Party national spokesperson Rajkumar Bhati issued an urgent public clarification on October 21, 2026, denying viral allegations that he had renounced Hinduism to convert to Buddhism during a public assembly in New Delhi.

Explosive Video Unleashes Storm Across Social Media

The controversy erupted immediately after video footage circulated across multiple digital platforms showing Bhati attending the ‘Vishal Dhamm Deeksha Samaroh’ on October 20 at Ambedkar Bhawan on Rani Jhansi Road in the national capital. The event, organized by the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha, featured the public recitation of the historic 22 pledges established by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on October 14, 1956, during his monumental conversion ceremony alongside hundreds of thousands of followers.

In the recorded footage, Bhati appeared prominently on stage with raised hands alongside Buddhist dignitaries while attendees recited the 22 vows. The specific vows include solemn commitments not to recognize Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Ram, or Krishna as deities, refusing to worship Hindu gods, and rejecting the belief that Buddha was an incarnation of Vishnu. The clip provoked immediate disbelief and explosive reactions online, triggering fierce debates about religious loyalty and opposition party politics.

Bhati Rebuts Claims and Defends Inclusivity

Confronted by the surging wave of speculation, Bhati published a detailed statement vigorously asserting his religious identity. He stressed that he was born a Hindu, remains a Hindu, and harbors no intention or desire to abandon his faith. The politician explained that he had attended the assembly solely in his capacity as a chief guest out of deep reverence for Dr. Ambedkar and Gautama Buddha’s philosophies.

"I fully support Baba Saheb’s teachings and the path shown by Gautama Buddha, while maintaining the deep conviction that I have neither the need nor any intention to convert to another religion. We can serve humanity while staying within any religion and speak out against discrimination, untouchability, hatred, superstition, and hypocrisy."

Bhati explained that his identity as a socialist leader requires engaging with all cultural traditions. He insisted that accepting invitations across faiths—including paying respects at Sikh gurudwaras before the Guru Granth Sahib, visiting Muslim assemblies, and partaking in Hindu festivals, sacrificial rituals, and havans—is an intrinsic part of his social ethos. He asserted that attending the event did not constitute a formal ritual conversion, accusing political adversaries of manufacturing bad faith hysteria from routine interfaith solidarity.

Opposition and Ruling Party Clash Over Pledges

The controversy swiftly escalated into a fierce ideological conflict. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rohan Gupta launched a blistering offensive against the Samajwadi Party leadership, accusing them of pandering to religious sentiments during elections while tolerating blatant disrespect toward mainstream Hindu deities.

Gupta publicly challenged Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to clarify the party’s official doctrine, demanding answers on whether the party endorses pledges that reject revered figures like Lord Ram, Shri Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu. The sharp criticism intensified scrutiny around opposition leaders and highlighted how viral video fragments can quickly transform ceremonial gatherings into combustible national debates.

Viral Disinformation Versus Religious Freedom

The swift dissemination of the snippet underscores the potent velocity of viral political controversies in modern media ecosystems. Even as sections of Buddhist social media accounts initially posted celebratory welcome messages believing the spokesperson had formally joined their ranks, Bhati warned citizens against falling prey to digital propaganda circulated by rival IT cells. Reaffirming his stance, the SP leader declared that standing against social bigotry, discrimination, and caste divides requires genuine humanism rather than legal alterations of one’s religious registration.