Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently addressed several critical issues in an ANI podcast, touching upon topics such as communal harmony, law and order, temple-mosque disputes, foreign interference in elections, and the role of his government in maintaining peace and development in the state. Yogi Adityanath asserted that minorities are the safest in Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing that a Muslim family would feel secure among a hundred Hindu families. However, he raised concerns about the reverse scenario, stating that 50 Hindus could not feel equally safe among 100 Muslim families. He cited the situations in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan as examples of persecution against Hindus and other minorities. He mentioned that ever since the BJP government came to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017, communal riots have stopped, ensuring security for all citizens.
On the issue of temple-mosque disputes, Adityanath questioned the construction of mosques on Hindu religious sites, arguing that such practices contradict Islamic principles. Referring to the ongoing religious dispute in Mathura and the recent unrest in Sambhal, he asserted that his government is working within the legal framework to restore religious sites. He revealed that out of 64 pilgrimage sites in Sambhal, 54 had been identified, and efforts are underway to uncover the remaining ones.
The Chief Minister also addressed the controversy surrounding law and order in the state, particularly the crackdown on criminals and the use of bulldozers against illegal properties. He defended the government’s actions, stating that those who disrupt peace must be dealt with in a language they understand. “Those who believe in justice will receive justice, but those who take the law into their own hands will be taught a lesson within the legal framework,” he remarked. He also compared the state’s peaceful celebration of Ram Navami and Eid with the violence in West Bengal, questioning why similar measures were not enforced there.
Yogi Adityanath also commented on recent allegations of foreign interference in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly accusing the Congress of receiving financial support from billionaire George Soros to spread misinformation and influence voters. He labeled such actions as “treason,” stating that foreign funds were used through NGOs, digital media, and social platforms to create propaganda against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to him, the BJP’s victory in the bypolls and recent state elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi demonstrated that the public had rejected these false narratives.
Speaking about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Adityanath dismissed claims of disagreements between the organization and the BJP during the elections. He praised the RSS as a guardian of Indian society, working for social awareness rather than participating in political campaigns. Additionally, he criticized the Congress for failing to fulfill its promises in states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, highlighting their unfulfilled pledges to provide financial aid to women.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to laud Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s respect for the Indian Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar. He credited Modi with initiating the celebration of Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) on November 26, recognizing Ambedkar’s contribution to India’s legal framework. Reiterating his belief in Sanatan Dharma, Yogi Adityanath described it as the world’s most ancient religion, emphasizing that Hindus have never imposed their faith on others. He contrasted this with the historical experiences of Hindus, who, according to him, have often faced persecution despite their inclusive outlook.
