Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP), alleging that the party had “taken over temples”, siphoned off devotees’ donations, and even used temple funds to construct mosque walls. His remarks come as the political battle over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case continues to intensify ahead of key electoral contests.
Addressing a public gathering in Ayodhya, the chief minister accused the Samajwadi Party of misusing temple resources during its tenure in power.
“Samajwadi Party used to pocket money donated at temples,” Adityanath alleged, stating that donations offered by devotees were diverted to build mosque walls after the party took control of temples.
The allegations come amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged theft of donations linked to the Ram Temple, an issue that has sparked a fresh war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition.
Yogi revives Hanumangarhi namaz controversy
Stepping up his offensive, Adityanath also resurrected the BJP’s long-standing allegation regarding an alleged attempt to organise namaz at Ayodhya’s Hanumangarhi temple during the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in 2003.
“Those who today speak about Lord Ram and faith had recently attempted to offer namaz on the steps of Hanumangarhi,” he said.
The chief minister referred to earlier claims by former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police and BJP MP Brij Lal, who had stated that local police denied permission for the proposed Ramzan prayers and iftar gathering near the temple, preventing the event from taking place.
Questioning the alleged incident, Adityanath asked, “Can anyone recite the Hanuman Chalisa inside the Jama Masjid? Can any government make that happen? If not, then why was such an act attempted on the steps of Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya?”
Opposition accused of opposing Ayodhya’s rise
The chief minister also accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of consistently opposing Ayodhya’s transformation under the BJP government.
He claimed that SP leaders had once ridiculed the idea of an international airport in Ayodhya but that the city today boasts an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki.
“No one imagined Ayodhya would have an international airport. Samajwadi Party leaders mocked the idea. Today, they are unhappy because it has been named after Maharishi Valmiki,” he said.
Adityanath further alleged that both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had questioned the existence and authenticity of Lord Ram before the BJP came to power.
“The Congress and the Samajwadi Party used to question the authenticity of Lord Ram. After the BJP government came to power, the Ram Mandir was built,” he said.
Questions opposition over Waqf issue
Earlier, Adityanath also targeted the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over the Waqf issue, accusing them of selectively raising questions over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft while remaining silent on alleged irregularities involving Waqf properties.
“I want to ask the Samajwadi Party and the Congress whether they ever spoke about thousands of hectares of land allegedly sold in the name of Waqf. That land belonged to the poor and weaker sections and could have been used for their welfare,” he said.
The chief minister’s remarks come amid an escalating political confrontation over the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case, with the BJP and opposition parties continuing to exchange accusations over Ayodhya, the Ram Temple project, and issues surrounding religious institutions and donations.
