Yogi Adityanath’s Controversial Remarks on Muslims Spark Outrage
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made a controversial statement, asserting that Muslims in the state are safe only if Hindus are safe. His remarks, made in an interview with ANI, have drawn sharp criticism for their communal undertones.
Adityanath claimed that in a society dominated by Hindus, Muslims live securely, but the same cannot be said for Hindus living among Muslims. He cited examples from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to justify his stance, warning of potential dangers. “If there is smoke or someone is being hit, we should be careful before we get hit,” he remarked, implying a threat to Hindus in Muslim-majority areas.
He further stated that since the BJP came to power in 2017, no communal riots have taken place in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that past riots involved both Hindu and Muslim losses. Critics argue that this statement downplays the state’s history of religious violence and ignores allegations of bias in law enforcement.
Yogi also made sweeping claims about Sanatan Dharma, asserting that Hindu rulers have never converted others by force. He attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, calling his Bharat Jodo Yatra a “Bharat Todo Abhiyan” and accused the Congress of keeping the Ayodhya issue unresolved for political gains.
His remarks on disputed religious sites, including Sambhal and Mathura, further intensified the controversy. He suggested that Hindu temples were destroyed to build Islamic places of worship and hinted that his government would continue “reviving” such sites. “We are abiding by the court’s decision; otherwise, who knows what could have happened by now?” he said about the Mathura dispute, a comment that critics say carries a veiled threat.
Muslim leaders and opposition parties have condemned Adityanath’s statements, calling them divisive and an attempt to polarize communities ahead of elections. They argue that such remarks fuel communal discord instead of promoting harmony.
