Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a sharp political attack on the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing them of disrespecting Lord Ram, opposing Ayodhya's development, and attempting to politicise matters of faith. Addressing a public event in Ayodhya, the Chief Minister said that the same parties which once questioned the authenticity of Lord Ram are now trying to portray themselves as champions of religious devotion.
Highlighting the transformation of Ayodhya over the past few years, Yogi Adityanath said the holy city has emerged as a major spiritual and infrastructure hub, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. He credited his government with giving Ayodhya a "new identity" through massive investments in roads, railways, and air connectivity.
"Today, lakhs of people visit Ayodhya. They (Samajwadi Party) sinned by organising people to offer namaz on the steps of Hanuman Garhi. But we gave a new identity to Ayodhya. There is road, rail and air connectivity to Ayodhya today," the Chief Minister said.
Stepping up his criticism, Yogi alleged that those who are now speaking about Lord Ram and faith had recently attempted to offer namaz on the steps of Hanumangarhi. He also accused the opposition of consistently opposing the development of Ayodhya and mocking ambitious projects that have since become a reality.
Referring to the city's expanding infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that no one had imagined Ayodhya would one day have an international airport. He claimed that Samajwadi Party leaders had ridiculed the proposal in the past but are now unhappy because the airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki.
"For a long time, Ayodhya remained neglected. Those who talk about devotion today had organised the offering of namaz on the steps of Hanuman Garhi," he said.
Drawing a comparison between religious practices at different places of worship, Yogi questioned the opposition's intentions, asking, "Will Congress or Samajwadi Party ever be able to organise Hanuman Chalisa paath in Jama Masjid? So, why did they commit this sin?"
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government remains committed to preserving Ayodhya's religious and cultural heritage while transforming it into a global centre of pilgrimage and tourism through modern infrastructure and enhanced connectivity.
In another significant announcement, Yogi Adityanath said that Bhadarsa would now be known as Bharatpur-Bharatkund in honour of Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram. He described the move as part of the government's broader effort to preserve and promote the historical and spiritual legacy associated with the Ramayana.
The remarks come amid continuing political sparring between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over issues of religion, heritage, and development in Uttar Pradesh, with Ayodhya remaining a central theme in the state's political discourse.
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