What about Waqf land? CM Yogi counters SP, Congress on Ram temple theft criticism

Taking on the opposition parties over their criticism of Ram Temple donation theft, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath questioned their silence on alleged Waqf land encroachments.

In Short

• Yogi Adityanath questions Opposition's silence on Waqf land
• UP Chief Minister cites SIT probe, says FIR filed in Ram temple donation theft case
• Says swift action has been taken on the basis of evidence

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accused the Samajwadi Party and Congress of double standards over the Ram Temple donation theft case, questioning their silence on Waqf land issues while attacking them for raising questions over an incident in Ayodhya.

Addressing a public gathering in Pratapgarh, Adityanath said the opposition was using a single incident to target the Hindu faith and undermine the growing prominence of Ayodhya.

"Today, Ayodhya attracts everyone. The opposition's pain is that so many people are coming to Ayodhya," the Chief Minister said.

In a sharp swipe at the opposition, Adityanath remarked that even a chameleon would be embarrassed by the political U-turns of the Samajwadi Party and Congress.

"These people are taking one incident and blowing it out of proportion to insult Hindus and attack their faith," he said.

Referring to criticism over the Ram Temple donation theft case, Adityanath asked why the opposition had never raised similar concerns over land transactions carried out in the name of Waqf.

"I want to ask the Samajwadi Party and Congress: over the theft in Ayodhya, which you are using to play with Hindu faith, have you ever spoken even once about the thousands of hectares of land sold in the name of Waqf?" he said.

The Chief Minister claimed that land that could have been allotted to poor and weaker sections had instead been grabbed and sold by a few individuals.

"That land belonged to the poor and the weak. It could have been given to them. Instead, it was occupied and sold in the name of Waqf, benefiting a select few. Yet the Congress and Samajwadi Party never uttered a word," he said.

Defending the handling of the Ram Temple donation theft case, Adityanath said action had been taken once the matter came to light.

"The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust itself sought an SIT investigation. I had said the truth would come out. An FIR was registered on the basis of the SIT probe and action was taken against those against whom evidence was found," he said.

"But when it comes to Waqf, why do the Samajwadi Party and Congress suddenly fall silent? Why do they put a lock on their mouths over theft in the name of Waqf?" he asked.

The Chief Minister also accused the opposition of reviving divisive issues ahead of elections.

"These people see elections approaching and suddenly raise such issues. Today, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are left with only two issues — creating divisions in the name of caste and attacking people's faith," he said.

Escalating his attack further, Adityanath revisited the opposition's position on Ayodhya and the Ram temple movement.

"The Congress once claimed that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna never existed. In Ayodhya, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party supported the Babri structure and shed crocodile tears over it. Now, like chameleons changing colours, they are saying that faith is being tampered with," he said.

Questioning the opposition's right to speak on Ayodhya, Adityanath said, "Since when did Ayodhya become a matter of faith for you? If Ram devotees say their faith is linked to Ayodhya, they have every right to say so. But the Congress has no right to say this."

"The party that denied the existence of Lord Ram, and the Samajwadi Party that fired bullets at Ram devotees — what faith are they talking about?" he added.

The Chief Minister further accused previous governments of misusing funds meant for Hindu religious sites.

"How did they use money meant for the development of Hindu religious places to build boundary walls around graveyards? Did faith not matter then?" he asked.

Adityanath also targeted previous governments over illegal slaughterhouses and cow smuggling.

"When they ran illegal slaughterhouses, when cows were handed over to smugglers and slaughtered, was Hindu faith not being hurt then?" he said.

During the rally, Adityanath also highlighted his government's development record in Uttar Pradesh. He said that before 2017, the poor suffered, youth were forced to migrate and farmers were driven to distress.

Drawing a contrast with previous governments, the Chief Minister said, "They gave 'One District, One Mafia'. We gave 'One District, One Medical College'."

He said Pratapgarh, which once could not have imagined having a medical college, now has one and is set to get a nursing college as well. He also highlighted improved connectivity through the Ganga Expressway and said stronger infrastructure was key to accelerating development.

The Chief Minister further said government schemes were implemented without discrimination and highlighted recruitment drives in the police force and other government services, claiming that youth from Pratapgarh had also benefited from these opportunities.

- Ends