Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath weighed in on the recent resurgence of temple-mosque disputes across the country, defending the idea of “reclaiming heritage.” Speaking at AajTak’s Dharma Sansad event ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela, Adityanath stated that reclaiming heritage should not be seen as a negative act, while strongly criticizing those who questioned the legitimacy of such moves.
“Reclaiming heritage is not a bad thing… Sanatan proof is now visible in Sambhal,” Adityanath said, referencing the Shahi Jama Masjid dispute in Sambhal, which ignited violent protests last year. He also added that India would not be governed by “Muslim League mentality,” an apparent reference to the debates surrounding the rights to certain religious sites.
Adityanath’s remarks followed concerns expressed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who had recently cautioned against stirring up temple-mosque disputes, advising people to refrain from such confrontations.
The Chief Minister also spoke at length about the violence in Sambhal, pointing out that the Puranas mention the town as the birthplace of Kalki, the prophesied tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This, he said, gave the region historical and religious significance.
In a parallel attack, Adityanath also took aim at the Samajwadi Party regarding the cleanliness of the Ganga river. He recalled an incident from 2013 when the Prime Minister of Mauritius, who had visited India to take a holy dip in the Ganga, was reportedly disheartened by the pollution and filth he saw during the Kumbh Mela, which was then under Samajwadi Party rule.
“In 2013, when the Prime Minister of Mauritius came to India to take a holy dip in the Ganga, he went back after seeing pollution, filth, and mismanagement during the Kumbh,” Adityanath remarked. The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav at the time, governed Uttar Pradesh.
However, Adityanath credited the current administration’s efforts for the improvements in the Ganga’s cleanliness. He contrasted the state of the river in 2013 with the situation in 2019, noting that the Prime Minister of Mauritius, during his visit to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela, was able to take a holy dip in the now-cleaned river.
“The Ganga has become clean now due to the work of the double-engine government,” Adityanath added, suggesting that the combined efforts of both the state and central governments have contributed to the river’s transformation.
