Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress, accusing them of disrespecting Hindu faith and claiming that an attempt was made to organise namaz at the steps of Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya during the SP government in 2003.
Addressing a public gathering in Ayodhya, the Chief Minister said those who now speak about faith had earlier allowed an attempt to offer namaz at one of the city’s most revered temples.
“People who are now speaking about Lord Ram and faith had attempted to offer namaz on the steps of Hanumangarhi. Can anyone imagine Hanuman Chalisa being recited inside Jama Masjid? If that cannot happen, then why was such an attempt made at Hanumangarhi?” Adityanath said.
‘Congress and SP Questioned Lord Ram’s Existence’
The Chief Minister also accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of questioning the existence of Lord Ram and opposing the construction of the Ram Temple.
“The Congress and the Samajwadi Party questioned the authenticity of Lord Ram. After the BJP government came to power, the grand Ram Mandir was built, and no one could stop it,” he said.
Adityanath further claimed that the opposition parties had failed to develop Ayodhya during their time in power and were unhappy with the city’s transformation.
“No one imagined Ayodhya would have an international airport. Samajwadi Party leaders mocked the idea. Today, Ayodhya has an international airport, but they are unhappy because it has been named after Maharishi Valmiki,” he said.
He added that the opposition was also uncomfortable with projects named after personalities such as Nishad Raj.
BJP Refers to 2003 Incident
The Chief Minister’s remarks refer to a long-standing BJP allegation that during the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government in 2003, there was an attempt to organise Ramzan prayers near Hanumangarhi.
Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police and BJP MP Brij Lal has earlier claimed that local police denied permission for the proposed namaz, preventing it from taking place.
Remarks Come Amid Ram Temple Donation Row
Adityanath’s comments come amid an ongoing political controversy over alleged financial irregularities in donations received at the Ram Temple.
The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. Several people have been arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement, while changes have also taken place within the Ram Temple Trust.
The Congress has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the donation controversy and has accused the BJP of avoiding accountability. The BJP, on the other hand, has accused the opposition of politicising matters related to Ayodhya and the Ram Temple.
