Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stirred fresh controversy on Tuesday by claiming that purchasing foreign products indirectly funds terrorism, religious conversions, and so-called ‘love jihad’. The remarks were made during an address at a public rally organized under the State’s ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) initiative in Aligarh, reported the Times of India.
CM Adityanath urged citizens to avoid foreign-made goods and instead support locally manufactured products, especially during festivals. “When someone buys a foreign product, the money ultimately goes abroad, and from there, it is used to fund terrorism, love jihad, conversions, and Naxalism that threaten the peace and harmony of our country,” he said.
He strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, urging citizens to give preference to Indian products. He particularly cited the example of Aligarh’s traditional lock-making industry as a symbol of India’s self-reliant manufacturing capabilities and praised the ODOP initiative for reviving regional crafts and generating employment.
Adityanath also highlighted that before 2017, the markets in Uttar Pradesh were filled with Chinese goods. However, after the introduction of ODOP in 2018, there has been a notable increase in demand for local products.
While he also appealed for public participation in maintaining cleanliness and civic hygiene, his comments linking foreign goods with terrorism and communal issues sparked backlash. Political analysts, civil rights activists, and many on social media condemned his remarks, accusing the Chief Minister of promoting communal hatred and using government platforms to target Muslims.
Critics warned that such statements could further polarize society and deepen mistrust among communities. Many called on the government to focus on real economic and developmental issues instead of promoting divisive narratives.
