Akhilesh should apologise for defaming Ram Mandir: Yogi Adityanath at AajTak Panchayat

Speaking at Aaj Tak Panchayata, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Samajwadi Party leader and MP Akhilesh Yadav should apologise to devotees for defaming Ram Mandir over the years.

In Short

• Yogi Adityanath claims that BJP restored Ayodhya's legacy
• He also said that the opposition is trying to defame Ram Mandir
• He confirms that there is no anti-incumbency wave in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a fresh swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his proposed visit to Ayodhya, saying he should first apologise to Ram devotees and saints for his party's past actions.

Adityanath said everyone had the right to visit the temple town, but those who had neglected Ayodhya and disrespected the sentiments of devotees should express regret before coming there.

Speaking at AajTak Panchayat in a conversation with Aaj Tak Senior Managing Editor Sweta Singh, the Chief Minister said Ayodhya was the city of Lord Ram and everyone visiting it with faith and devotion was welcome.

“Everyone has the right to come to Ayodhya. But if the Samajwadi Party chief wants to visit, he should first apologise to Ram devotees for his actions and deeds. He should also apologise for neglecting Ayodhya,” Adityanath said.

He questioned how leaders who had once opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and restricted the expression of religious slogans could now seek to visit the Ram Temple. Referring to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, he said those responsible should apologise to Ram devotees and saints.

Adityanath also said that anyone visiting Ayodhya with impure intentions would face the consequences of their actions. He maintained that the city welcomed everyone who came with devotion and respect.

YOGI RESPONDS TO RAM TEMPLE DONATION CONTROVERSY

On the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple, Adityanath said the actions of a few individuals should not be used to defame Ayodhya, its saints or Ram devotees.

He said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust was an autonomous body constituted following a Supreme Court order and that the state government had no role in its functioning. The government's responsibility was limited to providing security and facilities for devotees, he said.

Adityanath said the government contacted the trust after learning about the matter and asked it to take necessary action. He added that an investigation was conducted on the basis of available evidence, an SIT was formed and the matter reached the Supreme Court. Those facing accusations were removed from the trust and arrests were also made, he said.

The Chief Minister claimed that transparent arrangements had since been put in place and said it was unfair to tarnish the image of the entire temple town because of the actions of a few people.

YOGI COMPARES OLD AND NEW AYODHYA

Adityanath also compared the condition of Ayodhya under previous governments with its current infrastructure. He claimed that the city once received barely three hours of electricity a day and suffered from poor sanitation and inadequate roads.

He said the narrow lanes of the past had given way to improved connectivity, including four-lane roads and routes such as Dharm Path, Shri Ram Path, Bhakti Path and Janmabhoomi Path.

The Chief Minister also highlighted improved arrangements for the Panchkosi and 14-kosi parikramas and the construction of an international airport in Ayodhya. He said the Ram Janmabhoomi complex had also given recognition to several figures associated with the Ramayana, including Maharishi Valmiki, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Mata Shabari, Nishadraj and Jatayu.

Adityanath described the city as a meeting point of faith and modernity, saying large numbers of devotees were now visiting Ayodhya. He said those who had neglected the city in the past were finding it difficult to accept its transformation.

‘AYODHYA IS A MATTER OF FAITH, NOT ELECTIONS’

Asked whether he would contest an election from Ayodhya, Adityanath said he had not visited the city with the intention of contesting polls. He said some people had challenged him during the previous election, but those who issued the challenge had withdrawn before he could respond.

The Chief Minister said Ayodhya was a matter of faith for him rather than electoral politics. He also referred to the role of the Gorakshpeeth in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saying his predecessors and spiritual mentors had been associated with the campaign. He described it as a matter of pride to carry forward that legacy and contribute to Ayodhya.

YOGI REJECTS ANTI-INCUMBENCY CONCERNS

Responding to a question on anti-incumbency as the government approached 10 years in office, Adityanath claimed that people in Uttar Pradesh did not have negative feelings towards his government.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and guidance for the state's development, saying the government was continuing its focus on both heritage and infrastructure.

The Chief Minister claimed that Uttar Pradesh had moved out of the category of a 'BIMARU' state and had become one of India's three largest state economies. He said the government's next target was to make Uttar Pradesh the country's largest state economy.

He cited the expansion of expressways, metro networks, air connectivity and the development of religious sites as examples of the state's progress. He also claimed that work to revive more than 4,500 religious sites had been completed or was underway.

YOGI CLAIMS 9.5 LAKH GOVERNMENT JOBS SINCE 2017

On employment, Adityanath said his government had provided government jobs to more than 9.5 lakh young people between 2017 and 2026.

He accused previous Samajwadi Party governments of favouritism, nepotism and corruption in recruitment, while claiming that appointments under his government had been made through transparent processes.

The Chief Minister referred to the recruitment of 32,000 police constables and 42,000 home guard personnel. He also said the Subordinate Services Selection Commission had completed the process for around 25,000 appointments, with verification underway.

Adityanath said the government remained committed to creating employment opportunities for young people and ensuring that recruitment was carried out transparently.

- Ends