Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress as he accused the party of repeatedly disrespecting ‘the architect of India’s Constitution’ B R Ambedkar during his lifetime and undermining his legacy after his death.

Yogi Adityanath also claimed that India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was against Ambedkar’s inclusion in the Drafting Committee of the Constitution.

He made the remarks in a press conference at his official residence 5 Kalidas Marg, amid ongoing controversy triggered since Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha last week.

He also attacked the Samajwadi Party, saying the same Congress approach of disrespect for Dalits and deprived was adopted by the SP.

The chief minister, however, did not mention the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which also organised country wide protests against Shah’s statement demanding his resignation.

Flanked by ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Asim Arun, Yogi Adityanath highlighted that the press conference’s purpose as an effort to expose what he described as the “unethical” and “unconstitutional” conduct of the Congress and other opposition parties against Ambedkar.

“Dr B R Ambedkar played a monumental role during India’s freedom movement, the drafting of the Constitution and the early years of independent India. Despite facing numerous social hurdles, he earned the highest degrees in law, finance and economics.

“His contributions to the nation remain unparalleled. Every Indian holds deep respect and reverence for him,” the chief minister said.

Yogi Adityanath contrasted the BJP’s reverence for Ambedkar with the Congress’ history of disrespect. He detailed the BJP’s efforts to honour Ambedkar’s memory, including creating memorials at significant locations tied to his life, such as in Mhow, Nagpur, Mumbai and in London where Ambedkar studied.

“Under the BJP leadership, whether it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, every effort has been made to respect Ambedkar’s ideals. In contrast, the Congress has a long record of insulting him and marginalising his contributions,” he asserted.

The chief minister cited instances of the Congress’ alleged lack of interest, including its initial reluctance to include Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly and the Drafting Committee. He credited Mahatma Gandhi’s intervention for ensuring Ambedkar’s position.

“During the UPA regime, the Congress displayed its malice when a textbook portrayed a derogatory cartoon of Ambedkar being prodded by Pt Nehru. It was only after widespread protests that the book was withdrawn and the then HRD Minister, Kapil Sibal, had to apologise,” Yogi Adityanath stated.

He also accused the Congress of working to defeat Ambedkar in elections, including the 1952 general elections from Mumbai North and the 1954 byelections.

“Even Pt Nehru campaigned against Ambedkar to ensure his defeat. The Congress consistently worked to keep him out of Parliament and to silence the voice of Dalits and marginalised communities,” the chief minister claimed.

Yogi Adityanath also criticised the Congress for refusing to bestow national honours upon Ambedkar during his lifetime.

“It was only during a government with BJP support that Ambedkar was finally awarded the Bharat Ratna,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath further highlighted the BJP’s efforts under Narendra Modi’s leadership to fulfil Ambedkar’s vision through initiatives benefiting Dalits and marginalised communities.

He reiterated the BJP’s dedication to preserving Ambedkar’s legacy and ideals while accusing the Congress of continued disrespect and divisive politics.

Attacking the SP, he said, “In 2012, the then SP chief minister talked about demolishing memorials. In Kannauj the name of Dr Ambedkar was removed from the medical college and the same was done in Saharanpur medical college. Names of districts were changed showing SP’s hatred for Dalits and deprived sections,” he added.

Defending Union Minister Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath said a portion of his statement was shown and hue and cry has been created by these parties (Congress and SP) to hide their misdeeds.

He asked the Congress whether the attack on BJP MPs was constitutional. “Was pushing away an elderly (MP) constitutional? Was tearing bills on SC/ST and women’s interest constitutional?” He said the Congress and the SP should apologise to the people of the country for, what he said, creating schism of hatred in the country.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In a sharp response to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s barbs at his father and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has said the veteran leader never exploited personal tragedy for “political gain” and never played “victim card”.

The junior Kharge was responding to the firebrand BJP leader’s barbs at his father while campaigning for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly polls. Countering Mallikarjun Kharge’s “leaders in the guise of sadhus” remark, Mr Adityanath referred to the Congress’s chief childhood tragedy when his mother died in a arson by Razakars, a paramilitary wing that worked for the Nizam in the then princely state of Hyderabad. Mr Adityanath said Mr Kharge had “buried his feelings” for the sake of Congress’s “votebank politics”.

“These days Khargeji is getting angry with me… Khargeji, don’t get angry at me. I respect your age. If you want to get angry… get angry at the Hyderabad Nizam. The Nizam’s ‘razakars’ burnt your village, brutally killed Hindus, and burnt your respected mother, sister, and family members. Present this truth before the country – whenever they will be divided, they will be divided in the same brutal manner,” the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said.

“His village was under the Nizam of Hyderabad… when India was under the British. There was a fire… this was when Hindus were being selectively killed. And, in this fire, his home was also burned down, in which his mother and family were killed. But Khargeji does not say this… because he knows if he says it, then Muslim votes will shift. He forgot the sacrifice of his family for the sake of votes,” Mr Adityanath said.

Responding to the remarks, Mr Kharge’s son Priyank said his father narrowly escaped death during that tragic incident and went on to become a 9-time MLA, an MP, a Union Minister, Leader of the Opposition and a Congress president. “Despite the tragedy, he never exploited it for political gain, never played the victim card and never let hatred define him,” he added in a post on X.

The Karnataka minister said the atrocities against the Kharge family was committed by Razakars, not the entire Muslim community. “Every community has bad apples and individuals who do wrong.”

Priyank Kharge said the 82-year-old Congress chief is fighting tirelessly to uphold the values of Buddha-Basavanna-Ambedkar and to protect the Constitution.

“So, Yogi Ji, take your hate elsewhere. You cannot bulldoze his principles or his ideology. Try winning the elections on PM @narendramodi ji’s ‘achievements’ instead trying to sow seeds of hatred in the society for political gains,” the Congress leader said.

Earlier, Mr Kharge had launched a veiled attack on the BJP leader over his “batenge to katenge” remarks that the Opposition has described as divisive.

“Many (political) leaders live in the guise of sadhus and become politicians… some even become chief ministers. They wear gerua (saffron) clothes and have no hair on their heads…,” the Congress chief said, clearly referring to Mr Adityanath. “I would say… either wear white clothes or, if you are a sanyasi, get out of politics.”

“On the one hand you wear gerua clothes… on the other you say ‘batenge toh katenge’. They are spreading hatred among the people and are trying to divide them,” he had said.

It was chess two days ago. Today, it is cricket. Amid the pulls and pressures of administrative duties, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath snuck out some downtime.

The saffron-robed Chief Minister, wearing sandals, steps up to the pitch. New to the crease, he takes guard. Standing far outside the leg stump, the 52-year-old Chief Minister, with a long handle grip, appears ready.

He then, in a series of pictures posted on X by UP government, appears to be hitting a ball. He is all smiles.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: During the All India Advocates Cricket Tournament, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showcased his skills by playing a cricket shot alongside participating advocates. pic.twitter.com/My7hxWu5Bh

— IANS (@ians_india) October 6, 2024

“You must have witnessed the feeling of sportsmanship increasing in the last 10 years. PM Modi also has the same concern, how we increase the sports activity in the country?… The players attached to their roots are getting the chance to come forward (in sports). A new sports culture has been established through Khelo India, Fit India Movement,” said the Chief Minister, who was the chief guest at the 36th All India Advocate Cricket Tournament in Lucknow.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath showcased his cricketing skills while playing in the ‘All India Advocates Cricket Tournament’ held in Lucknow. pic.twitter.com/w1iePROWaC

— IANS (@ians_india) October 6, 2024

On Friday, the Chief Minister played chess with Kushagra Agrawal, the country’s youngest FIDE (World Chess Federation) rated player.

The chief minister engaged in a “thoughtful conversation” with Agarwal, discussing various chess moves and strategies, as per a press statement.

Kushagra, who visited the Gorakhnath temple to seek the chief minister’s blessings, will turn six next month and is currently a student of UKG.

The chief minister assured him that the Uttar Pradesh government would extend full support to further nurture his talent, expressing confidence that the young international chess player would bring pride to Gorakhpur, the state, and the nation in the years to come.

Lucknow:

Taking cognisance of incidents of spitting and mixing of urine in eatables in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday directed that the name and address of operators, proprietors and managers should be mandatorily displayed at all food centres.

He also directed that chefs and waiters should wear masks and gloves, besides making installation of CCTV cameras in hotels and restaurants mandatory.

Addressing a high-level meeting here, Yogi Adityanath said the presence of human waste in food items was disgusting and ordered strict action against those who adulterate food items with human waste or dirty things, an official statement said.

On September 12, a purported video showing a teenager spitting on rotis while preparing them at an eatery in Saharanpur district went viral on social media, leading to the arrest of the facility’s owner.

Last week, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad district was arrested for allegedly serving fruit juices mixed with urine to customers. In June, two men were arrested in Noida for allegedly selling juice contaminated with their spits.

In view of such incidents, the chief minister has also given instructions for thorough investigation, verification of all hotels, dhabas, restaurants, and related establishments in the state.

Instructions were also given to amend the rules as per the need while ensuring the health safety of the general public.

Yogi Adityanath said, “Dhabas, restaurants and food establishments should be thoroughly investigated and police verification of every employee should be done and necessary amendments should also be made in the Food Safety and Standards Act to ensure the purity and sanctity of food items.” According to the statement, now it will be mandatory to display the name and address of the operator, proprietor, manager, etc. at the food centres.

“Now whether it is a chef or a waiter, they will have to wear masks and gloves and it will be mandatory to install CCTVs in hotels/restaurants,” the chief minister said.

In the meeting, Yogi Adityanath said in recent times, incidents of adulteration of food items like juice, pulses and roti with human waste and dirty things have been seen in various parts of the country.

“Such incidents are gruesome and have an adverse effect on the health of the common man. Such efforts cannot be accepted at all,” he said.

Concrete arrangements are necessary to prevent such incidents in Uttar Pradesh, he said, adding that by running a statewide intensive campaign, verification of all the employees working at food establishments, including their operators, should be done.

The chief minister said this action should be completed quickly by a joint team of Food Safety and Drug Administration, police and local administration.

Earlier this year, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered food stalls and fruit vendors along Kanwar Yatra routes to display the names of shop owners. The government argued the directive, which was criticised by a section of people, was aimed at promoting transparency and informed choice of kanwariyas regarding the food they eat.

Meanwhile, Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Food Security and Drug Administration, said, “Orders have been issued that all the shops will be probed, CCTV cameras will be installed, employees of eateries have to wear mask and gloves. What is the benefit of hiding one’s identity?” The opposition parties have criticised the government’s move.

Ravidas Mehrotra, SP MLA from Lucknow Central, said, “The move is aimed at reducing the sale of people from the Dalit, backward and minority communities. Hence, this dictatorial step has been taken.” “In 2022 assembly elections, the SP had promised that it will come up with ‘samajwadi’ canteens, where clean and adequate food could be purchased at Rs 10 per plate. If the intention of the CM is right, then shops and dhabas should be opened by the government, where a person could get a full meal for Rs 10,” he said.

UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said, “The GSTIN number in the nameplate of the hotel/eatery owner already contains all the details, and the government has them. And as far as edible items are concerned, their testing should be done. The wrongful practice of taking money every month virtually from every shop should be corrected first.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Gorakhpur:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday met with the family members of two people killed in a fire in southern Kuwait’s Mangaf as well as some devotees injured in a terrorist attack in Jammu’s Shiv Khori.

He spoke to them at the Gorakhnath temple and provided them financial assistance.

The fire in a multi-storey building in Kuwait resulted in the death of 49 people, including Angad Gupta from Jatepur in Sadar tehsil and Jayaram Gupta from Bharmour in Campierganj tehsil, both in Gorakhpur.

According to a statement, the chief minister met with Angad Gupta’s wife Rita Devi and Jayaram Gupta’s wife Sunita, conveyed his condolences and handed them cheques of Rs 5 lakh each.

Yogi Adityanath also provided Rs 1 lakh each to those injured in the recent terrorist attack in Shiv Khori.

The chief minister enquired about their health and assured them that the government would cover all medical expenses.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath – a senior leader of the BJP – and Mohan Bhagwat, boss of ruling party’s ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are expected to meet this afternoon in Gorakhpur, which is the latter’s Assembly bastion.

The meeting – sources call it a “courtesy meet” as Mr Bhagwat is in the Chief Minister’s constituency for a RSS event, is to take place either between 2 and 4 pm or after the latter’s visit to the Gorakhnath Temple.

The optics of Mohan Bhagwat meeting Yogi Adityanath are significant after the former’s speech this week in Nagpur; Mr Bhagwat’s speech was peppered with criticism about the way the campaign was conducted on both sides of the political divide.

If the RSS chief’s comment was veiled, his colleague Indresh Kumar’s was not; he slammed the “party which did bhakti of Lord Ram (a reference to building the Ram Temple in UP’s Ayodhya, which was expected to seal a landslide win for the party) for its “arrogance”. 

The RSS, however, dispelled talk of a split with its political unit; sources said the message was just a pick-me-up for the BJP’s central leadership.

And as for Indresh Kumar’s jab, RSS sources distanced the organisation from the comments and sought to flip it, declaring Lord Ram “stopped those (the Congress-led INDIA bloc) who became arrogant” at 241.

For the 2024 Lok Sabha election the BJP had set itself an ambitious target of 370 seats (400+ with allies) to form a third consecutive union government with a brute majority.

However, hobbled by a strong showing by the INDIA group, and pushback over policy issues, the party’s previously formidable election-winning machinery managed only 240 seats – 32 below the majority mark – and was forced to rely on ‘kingmakers’ Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu to complete its hat-trick.