Adityanath Demands Apology From Critics Before Ayodhya Temple Visits

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that critics who fired on Ram devotees and lathicharged saints must apologise before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Speaking at the tenth edition of Deepotsav, the Chief Minister did not name Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav directly, but his remarks came hours after the announcement that Mr. Yadav would visit the temple on December 12. According to Hindustan Times, the Chief Minister specifically referred to the police firing that took place on October 30 and November 2 in 1990 under the government of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Deepotsav Celebrations

The event was attended by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Governor Anandiben Patel. Mr. Adityanath criticized political opponents for lacking the decorum of a religious discourse during recent visits, comparing their behavior to a poetry gathering. He praised the transformation of Ayodhya from a neglected town into a global spiritual destination with four-lane roads, an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki, and improved railway services.

Context

Ayodhya has undergone massive infrastructure changes and political shifts in recent years, centered around the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement and its consecration in January 2024. Public figures frequently use major religious festivals like Deepotsav to address historical controversies and signal political positions regarding the temple.