CM Adityanath targets SP: ‘Lamps are lit where bullets were fired’

The chief minister, who on reaching Ayodhya, first visited the Ram Temple and lit a diya there, arrived at Ram Ki Pauri for Deepotsav celebrations in the evening, said: “Deepotsava is a living proof that no politics can imprison faith… Those who once mocked the faith of people and drenched the streets of Ayodhya with the blood of Ram Bhakts and Karsevaks are today pinched with the light of 26.17 lakh diyas… Those who did not believe in Ram, those who ordered firing on devotees, and those who desecrated Ayodhya, are not liking all this. These people used to distance themselves from Diwali while in power, but they spent crores on Saifai and constructing boundary walls of cemeteries.”

He alleged that such people want to push people into the mindset of slavery and are trying to trap the public in the web of casteism and hatred, and asked, “Aise Ram drohi, Deepotsava ko kaise pasand karenge (How will they like Deepotsav)?”.

Earlier in the day, in the presence of saints and seers, Adityanath said, “In this very Ayodhya, there was a time when Lord Ram was called a myth in the court. Those who once questioned his existence now seek to align themselves with faith.”

He further alleged, “During the Ram Temple movement, they used every legal tool to obstruct the temple’s construction. But today, we can proudly say- they fired bullets, and we are lighting lamps in Ayodhya. They locked the temple, but with the blessings of saints, we have built a magnificent abode for Lord Shri Ram. This is the victory of devotion and the fulfilment of the resolve of Ram Bhaktas.”

Adityanath claimed that 6-10 crore devotees are visiting Ayodhya every year now. He also claimed that 1.51 crore diyas were lit across Uttar Pradesh to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav targeted the BJP government over the absence of deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, as well as Governor Anandiben Patel, from the Deepotsava celebrations.

Sharing the pictures of government advertisements of the event, Akhilesh wrote on X, “Those who did not even find a place in the advertisement, what significance do they hold in the government? The public is asking whether both the posts of deputy chief minister have been abolished?”

Alleging infighting within the BJP government, Akhilesh alleged that the BJP ignored “PDA” MP, referring to local SP MP Awadhesh Prasad, from the event and maintained, “Abki bar, Deputy CM Bahar”.

The BJP, meanwhile, assailed Akhilesh for his remarks on lighting diyas during the Deepotsav event, alleging the SP chief has become so blinded by his love for votes of “fundamentalists and jihadis” that he has started speaking against his own community.

The ruling BJP also accused the former CM of wanting to curb the prosperity of the Prajapati community, who make earthen lamps.

This came a day after Yadav raised questions on the Yogi Adityanath government’s expenditure on lighting diyas and candles during the Deepotsav celebration and suggested that it should learn from the arrangements made worldwide to illuminate cities during Christmas.