Yogi Adityanath has hit out at the opposition over the Sambhal violence

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath looks on at Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on the opening day of the winter session in Lucknow on Monday. | Photo Courtesy: Sandeep Saxena

On Monday (December 16, 2024), the opening day of the winter session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly witnessed stormy scenes over the recent violence in Sambhal and Bahraich, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targeting the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the violence, communal riots. and the Indian Constitution. Mr. Adityanath also said that the traditions of Rama, Krishna and Buddha will survive in India, “not Babur and Aurangzeb”.

Mr. Adityanath accused the opposition parties in power for more than six decades of turning a blind eye to the violence against Hindus in Sambhal. With a history of communal violence, Sambhal saw riots in 1947 and 1948, and significant violence in 1978, when 184 Hindus were burned alive. There were more riots from 1980-1982 and five people were killed in 1990-1992. “A total of 209 Hindus have lost their lives in Sanbhal since 1947,” the UP CM said.

Speaking about the violence in Sambhal, Mr. Adityanath said the city has a historical divide between Turks and Pathans. He referred to former Samajwadi Party (SP) Lok Sabha MP late Shafiqur Rehman Barak, who once “declared himself not an Indian citizen but a descendant of Babar”. “Do you support the legacy of the invaders, or the tradition of Rama, Krishna and Buddha?” UP CM said. He said, ‘Only Rama, Krishna and Buddha will live in India, not Babur and Aurangzeb.

If there is peace when Muharram or other Muslim processions pass through Hindu areas, why is it difficult when Hindu processions pass through Muslim areas, Mr. Adityanath said. Is it not possible to hoist the saffron flag on the land of India? He said. “If a Muslim procession takes place in front of a temple in a Hindu area, why can’t a Hindu procession go to a Muslim area?” He added.

Mr. Adityanath said that he will not give immunity to anyone who disturbs the peace of Sambhal. “Anyone who disrupts peace and pelts stones will be severely punished and will not be given immunity,” he said.

Highlighting data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the UP CM said the state has seen a 97% to 99% reduction in incidents of communal riots. “According to NCRB data, since 2017, UP has seen a 97% to 99% reduction in communal riots. Since 2017, there have been no riots in the state, while during 2012 to 2017, there were 815 communal riots and 192 people were killed,” Mr. Adityanath said. .