Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of disrespecting the Hindu faith by having allowed namaz to be offered at the Hanumangarhi temple in Ayodhya, and demanded that they apologise for the "sin".
Adityanath made the statements while addressing a public meeting in Bikapur. "They had namaz offered at Hanumangarhi. Can anyone imagine Hanuman Chalisa being recited inside Jama Masjid? Can any government or the Samajwadi Party or the Congress ever make that happen? If not, then why was this sin committed at Hanumangarhi? Who was responsible for it?" he reportedly asked.
The chief minister was apparently referring to an incident from November 2003 when an attempt was made to offer namaz outside Hanumangarhi, a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, but permission was not granted by the local police, said PTI.
Adityanath also said that the SP and the Congress had consistently opposed the development of Ayodhya and created hurdles in the construction of the Ram temple.
"They questioned the very existence of Lord Ram, fired bullets at Ram devotees and created an identity crisis for Ayodhya. After the double-engine government came to power, the grand Ram temple was built and no one could stop it. Today, lakhs of devotees visit Ayodhya every year," he said.
Adityanath's attack on the opposition comes amid a raging controversy over alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The CM alleged that the opposition was uncomfortable with the transformation of Ayodhya because it had failed to undertake similar works while in power.
"They oppose Ayodhya today because they could not do these works themselves. They are unhappy that an international airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki and that projects have been named after Nishad Raj and other revered personalities," he said.
Highlighting the BJP government's work in the temple town, Adityanath said Ayodhya had undergone a complete transformation since 2017.
"There was a time when Ayodhya lacked proper roads, electricity and basic civic amenities. Today, it is resplendent, its streets are illuminated, it has become one of the country's selected solar cities and boasts modern road, rail and air connectivity," he said.
He said the city now had a chain of developed ghats, Ram Ki Paidi, Bhakti Path, Ram Path and other infrastructure that had enhanced the experience of pilgrims.
"What could not be achieved in 500 years has now become a reality. Generations of saints and devotees struggled for the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Those who once claimed that even a bird could not fly in Ayodhya can now see lakhs of devotees arriving every year," he said.
Later speaking at a function in Basti district, Adityanath again referred to the namaz incident at Hanumangarhi.
"Recall, these very people were the biggest obstacles to the construction of the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya — a place that symbolises the faith of us all. These are the people who fired upon Ram devotees. These are the people who questioned the very existence of Lord Ram," the chief minister said.
"Now, they must seek an apology for the sin they had committed on the stairs of the sacred Hanumangarhi," Adityanath reportedly said.
He added that the SP must seek an apology for the firing on devotees of Lord Ram, and for incidents in which innocent Hindus were harassed and their faith was hurt.
