Videos showing people collecting leftover oil from earthen lamps at the Saryu River ghats in Ayodhya after the city’s Deepotsav celebrations have triggered a political controversy, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP of humiliating the poor.
The visuals, which circulated on social media for a second consecutive day, showed people gathering oil left in the lamps used during the 10th edition of Deepotsav on Saturday, November 7. The celebrations featured 30 lakh earthen lamps, setting a new Guinness World Record.
Yadav also shared videos purportedly showing people being stopped from collecting the oil by individuals carrying wooden sticks. Some clips appeared to show people being struck with sticks.
In a post on X on Monday, the SP chief accused BJP workers of mistreating poor people and said his party would ensure that mustard oil was provided through the public distribution system if it came to power.
अयोध्या नगरी के मान-सम्मान की पुनर्स्थापना के लिए हम वचनबद्ध हैं। राम-मंदिर की चोरी से आहत होकर जिस प्रकार अयोध्या आने वाले आस्थावान और श्रद्धालु दिन-प्रतिदिन कम होते जा रहे हैं, जिसका सीधा असर यहाँ की स्थानीय अर्थव्यवस्था पर पड़ा है, हम उसे सुधारेंगे भी और सँवारेंगे भी। अयोध्या… pic.twitter.com/8wg4WjIUPS
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 9, 2026
“A few months from now, we will form our PDA government and ensure that mustard oil is provided through the ration system so that no exploited, deprived or poor person has to suffer humiliation after being beaten with sticks by these BJP people,” he wrote.
He also criticised what he described as the BJP’s treatment of women, calling the incident a “violent spectacle” and demanding that the women’s commission take action against those involved and the event organisers.
Yadav further accused the BJP of insulting women and referred to the public humiliation of the mother of a young man who died in a fire incident in Lucknow. He said the next election would be a contest between women and young people and the BJP.
Ayodhya mayor says oil and sweets were distributed
Responding to the criticism, Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, who belongs to the BJP, said the civic administration had distributed oil and sweets among residents of slums and other needy people before the celebrations.
“We are aware of this and have, this year too, distributed oil and sweets in slums and among the needy. This time, I too was especially careful about this and oversaw this distribution. Yet, such things happen,” Tripathi told PTI.
The mayor said the administration had considered removing all the earthen lamps immediately after the event but faced difficulties because of their large number and the fact that many were still burning.
He acknowledged that a solution needed to be found to prevent such incidents.
Yadav promises changes in Ayodhya
In a subsequent post on X, Yadav said the SP would work to restore Ayodhya’s reputation and improve its administration if voted to power. He also promised to make the city a “global capital of Sanatan pilgrimage”.
He said his government would ensure that no poor person collecting leftover oil from lamps was beaten or humiliated. He reiterated his promise to provide oil and ghee through the ration system.
Yadav also said the party would promote traditional boating to support local boatmen and preserve the association between Lord Ram and Nishadraj.
Accusing the BJP of favouring outside contractors, he promised to review land records and investigate alleged irregularities in property transactions and circle rates in Ayodhya. He said those found involved in corruption would face action.
The SP chief also called for legal action against people who insult religious figures and those who encourage such conduct, saying the measures would be aimed at protecting social harmony.
