Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of insulting Hindu religious sentiments, alleging that they had permitted namaz to be offered at Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi temple in the past and asserting that both parties should apologise for what he described as a "sin".
Speaking at a public gathering in Bikapur, Ayodhya, after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 217 development projects valued at more than Rs 432 crore, the chief minister alleged that those who now project themselves as defenders of faith had once committed a "sin" by allowing namaz on the steps of Hanumangarhi.
"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 said.
The remarks appeared to refer to an incident in November 2003, when an attempt was made to offer namaz outside Hanumangarhi, a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The local police, however, did not grant permission.
Responding to questions about the episode, former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police and BJP MP Brij Lal told PTI on Friday, "This is correct. This incident dates back to November 2003 during the month of Ramzan."
"Back then, the BSP government led by Mayawati had exited," Brijlal recalled suggesting that the entire 'namaz plan' was made during then Mulayam Singh Yadav government allegedly at the behest of "an officer with Samajwadi Party-Leftist leanings".
"The plan was to hold roza iftaar after namaz. But this couldn't succeed as the then SSP Faizabad (now Ayodhya) Rajeev Sabharwal firmly said he won't allow this," Brijlal recalled.
After objections were raised, the namaz was ultimately offered at the residence of the Hanumangarhi mahant, located next to the temple.
"The original plan was to offer namaz right outside Hanumangarhi but police didn't allow it," Brij Lal stated.
During his address in Bikapur, Adityanath also accused the Samajwadi Party and the Congress of repeatedly opposing Ayodhya's development and obstructing 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.
The chief minister's criticism of the opposition comes against the backdrop of an ongoing controversy surrounding alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Adityanath further alleged that the opposition was dissatisfied with Ayodhya's transformation because it had failed to undertake comparable development while it was in office.
"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 his government's initiatives in the temple town, the chief minister said Ayodhya had witnessed sweeping changes 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 added that the city now featured a network of upgraded ghats, Ram Ki Paidi, Bhakti Path, Ram Path and other infrastructure aimed at improving facilities for 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, while addressing a programme in Basti district, Adityanath returned to the Hanumangarhi issue and repeated his criticism of the opposition.
"Recall, these very people were the biggest obstacles to the construction of the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya --- a place that symbolizes 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.
"And these are the people and sinners who had 'namaz' offered on the stairs of the sacred Hanumangarhi. Now, they must seek an apology for the sin they had committed on the stairs of the sacred Hanumangarhi," Adityanath said.
He also said that the Samajwadi Party should apologise for the firing on devotees of Lord Ram as well as for incidents in which innocent Hindus were allegedly harassed and their religious sentiments were hurt.
