Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ravidas Mehrotra has stirred controversy with his statement that a Shiv Linga lies beneath the official residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Mehrotra has called for an excavation of the site to verify his claim, an ANI report said.
Speaking to the media, Mehrotra stated: “It is believed that there is a Shiv Linga beneath the Chief Minister’s official residence. An excavation must be conducted to uncover the truth.”
The remark comes amid growing debates over religious symbols and their historical significance in India. Mehrotra’s statement has already sparked political reactions.
Reacting to Mehrotra’s demand, BJP leaders have criticised the statement as baseless and politically motivated. A senior BJP leader responded: “This is an absurd claim meant to create unnecessary controversy. Such statements only distract from important governance and developmental work in the state.”
Mehrotra’s claim aligns with recent trends of excavation demands at ‘disputed’ sites across India, many of which are tied to religious narratives. While some have led to archaeological discoveries, others have been dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Observers see Mehrotra’s statement as a strategic move to counter BJP’s stronghold in UP by invoking religious sentiments. Samajwadi Party has often criticised BJP for allegedly using religion for political gain, and Mehrotra’s remark may be seen as a tit-for-tat strategy.
As the controversy unfolds, the UP government has not issued an official statement on the matter.
