Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sparked a fresh debate on Tuesday by claiming that “political Islam” has caused the greatest harm to Sanatan Dharma. Speaking at an event in Gorakhpur marking the RSS centenary, Adityanath said that while British and French colonialism are often discussed, the impact of “political Islam” on Indian civilization is largely ignored.
“There is talk of British colonialism and French colonialism, but nowhere is there talk of political Islam, which undermined our faith,” he said. “Great warriors like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Guru Gobind Singh, Maharana Pratap, and Maharana Sanga fought battles against political Islam. Our ancestors waged great struggles, but this part of history remains overlooked,” Adityanath added during the ‘Vichar-Parivar Kutumb Sneh Milan’ and ‘Deepotsav Se Rashtrotsav’ events.
Praising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Adityanath said the organization played a crucial role in realizing the dream of building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. “While members of Congress and the INDIA bloc questioned the Ram Temple, RSS volunteers remained steadfast. They faced restrictions, lathi-charges, and bullets, yet never gave up. Today, the magnificent Ram Temple stands as proof of their dedication,” he said.
The chief minister further alleged that activities promoting “political Islam” continue under different forms even today. He also mentioned that Uttar Pradesh has banned the sale of Halal-certified products, claiming the profits from such sales were being used for “conversion, love jihad, and terrorism.”
Adityanath listed five key focus areas, social harmony, family values, environmental protection, self-reliance through indigenous goods, and civic responsibility.
“For a developed society and a developed nation, society must lead and the government must follow,” he said, concluding that the RSS’s 100-year journey has turned what once seemed impossible into reality.
