‘Ram on lips, hiding a dagger’: Ayodhya ‘fish feast’ sees BJP vs Congress spat
A purported video of the feast has triggered a row, with Yogi Adityanath accusing the opposition of insulting Ayodhya and Congress denying its leaders attended the feast.
4 min readLucknowUpdated: Aug 25, 2026 04:13 AM IST
The controversy erupted after a video of the feast following an event organised by Ram Nishad went viral on social media.(Special Arrangement, enhanced with AI)
A ‘fish bhoj (feast)’ organised in Ayodhya by the Nishad community on Sunday has sparked a political row, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accusing state Congress chief Ajay Rai of partaking of the feast and the opposition leader challenging him to show evidence.
The controversy erupted after a purported video of the feast following an event organised by Ram Nishad, who joined the Congress last month after leaving the BJP, went viral on social media.
The BJP hit out at Rai, saying it was the Hindu holy month of Shravan (Sawan) when many devout Hindus avoid meat. Rai challenged Adityanath to provide evidence for his allegation or apologise. Ram Nishad, meanwhile, said they have committed “no crime” by eating fish.
Addressing a public meeting in Rae Bareli on Monday, Adityanath alleged: “We are all devotees of Bajrang Bali. But you must have seen the conduct of the devotees of Babri yesterday. They went to Hanuman Garhi temple and later were seen enjoying a fish feast at one of their offices. This is what they call ‘Ram on the lips and a dagger tucked under the arm’.”
He went on to say that “even a chameleon would be embarrassed by this kind of behaviour”. “It would wonder what kind of human species this is — chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out,” he alleged.
UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak told the media, “Ayodhya Dham is our sacred abode, the abode of Lord Ram, and hosting such a feast there, especially during the holy month of Shravan, reflects the culture of the Congress party.”
Congress leaders denied the claim. They said the programme was held in Gosaiganj, around 30-40 km from Ayodhya, and that its leaders did not participate in the subsequent fish feast.
Speaking to the media, Rai said: “Does the CM have any photos? If he can produce any pictures, I will be ready to resign immediately… Nishad Samaj invited me to a programme in Ayodhya yesterday. If they were getting fish prepared there, it would be their concern. I attended the programme and returned.”
‘Fish is everything for us’: Ram Nishad
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ram Nishad said Congress leaders, including Rai and AICC in-charge of UP, Rajendra Pal Gautam, had been invited to the programme to mark his joining of the party.
He said the leaders arrived around 1-2 pm and were served vegetarian food. They left around 3 pm.
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He said the viral video showed a separate feast organised by members of the Nishad community after the political programme. “We are fishermen. We have committed no crime by eating fish,” he said.
Explaining the importance of fish to the Nishad community, he added: “Fish is important to us from birth until death. How can we manage if we do not touch fish for a month? If you want to talk about something, talk about uplifting the community.”
“Nishadon ne machhli banake kha liya to kaunsa apradh kar liya? (What crime have we committed by preparing and eating fish?)” he said.
CM tears into Rahul Gandhi’s Manusmriti remarks
Adityanath, meanwhile, also attacked the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the Manusmriti. “Rahul ji says, ‘Come out of the Manusmriti’… Why do you want to validate Manu? Whether you accept it or not, you insult Ram’s legacy. Your party has said that Ram does not exist. Yesterday too, the country and the world saw the conduct of your party and your leaders,” he said.
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The UP CM was referring to Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ initiative at Pune’s SSPMS Grounds on Saturday, where the Leader of Opposition had lashed out at the “Manusmriti mindset” and urged girl students to “smash patriarchy”.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
