Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hands over certificate to a laborer during the inauguration of the Shramveer Gaurav Samaroh-2026, in Lucknow on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath speaks during a public meeting for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections at Contai, in Purba Medinipur on Sunday (April 13, 2026)
| Photo Credit: ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with Mahant of Baghambari Math, Balveer Giri Maharaj, arrives at Bade Hanuman Temple during the ongoing Magh Mela 2026, in Prayagraj on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Idols of Goddess Durga being immersed in the Yamuna river during the Durga Puja festival, at Dussehra Ghat behind the Taj Mahal, in Agra, on October 2, 2025
| Photo Credit: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) expressed hope that the opposition, frustrated by electoral defeat, would not disrupt the Budget Session but rather contribute positively to the smooth conduct of legislative proceedings. file
| Photo Credit: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) expressed hope that the opposition, frustrated by electoral defeat, would not disrupt the Budget Session but rather contribute positively to the smooth conduct of legislative proceedings.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the start of the Budget Session (2025-26), Mr. Adityanath said the governor’s address and the presentation of the budget are crucial events where every member, including the opposition, can put forth their views effectively.

“Accusations or unparliamentary conduct cannot solve problems,” he added.

The Chief Minister assured that the government is fully prepared to respond factually to any issue the opposition raises.

He said that the assembly should serve as a platform for meaningful discussions rather than being marred by baseless accusations or unruly conduct.

Mr. Adityanath expressed confidence that the governor’s address would mark the beginning of a disciplined and constructive approach from the opposition.

“We hope to see the opposition and all members conduct themselves in a manner that strengthens public faith in democratic values,” he said.

The Chief Minister stated that the session would commence with the governor’s address followed by discussions on it.

The Uttar Pradesh Budget for 2025-26 will be presented on February 20.

He said that the session, scheduled from February 18 to March 5, would cover key legislative business, including the passage of the state budget, deliberations on grants, and discussions on public welfare and development issues.

Mr. Adityanath highlighted that rarely in Uttar Pradesh’s history has the assembly been convened for such an extended duration.

He stressed that ensuring the smooth conduct of proceedings is not just the ruling party’s responsibility but also that of the opposition.

“The House should be a platform for discussion and debate,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister also pointed out the significant transformation in Uttar Pradesh’s perception on a national and global scale under the BJP-led double-engine government over the past eight years.

“These achievements will be reflected in the governor’s address and assembly discussions,” he added.

He said while Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a centre of attraction globally, a despondent opposition often tries to avoid discussions on such developments.

He urged the opposition to engage in constructive debates, stating that the budget session could be highly productive if they contribute positively.

The session, scheduled until March 5, will provide a platform for members to discuss the governor’s address, raise key issues, deliberate on general and grant demands, and facilitate the passage of important legislative proposals.

Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak were also present during the interaction along with cabinet ministers Suresh Khanna and Dharampal Singh and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged parties to work in collaboration for the smooth functioning of the Assembly and raising issues of public interest
| Photo Credit: PTI

Ahead of the Budget session of the Uttar Pradesh legislature which starts on Tuesday (February 18, 2025), Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana on Monday (February 17, 2025) chaired an all-party where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged parties to work in collaboration for the smooth functioning of the Assembly and raising issues of public interest.

“As public representatives it is our responsibility to ensure that all matters concerning public interest are debated smoothly in the House,” Mr. Adityanath said. The U.P. CM appealed members to ensure that there are no obstacles in the proceedings of the Assembly. Speaker Mr. Mahana also urged MLAs to cooperate for the smooth conduct of the Budget session.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) said it will raise the alleged gross mismanagement in the ongoing Maha Kumbh which led to a stampede causing the death of devotees. “The Assembly session is the forum where the Opposition can raise issues of public importance. We are witness to the gross mismanagement in the Maha Kumbh, it resulted in a stampede. Every day videos are emerging of pilgrims facing discomfort of unimaginable magnitude with State government failing on all fronts,” SP national spokesperson Sunil Singh Yadav ‘Sajan’ said.

In the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey, Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Bedi Ram, and Jansatta Dal Democratic Party leader Vinod Saroj were present.

CLAIM: Video shows Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand reprimanding CM Yogi Adityanath for Maha Kumbh stampede.

FACT CHECK: The video is part of an interview Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand gave to a Gujarati news channel where he criticised the Kumbh mismanagement and questioned Uttar Pradesh government’s efficiency.

A video of Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth in Uttarakhand, has surfaced with false claims that it shows him reprimanding Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister, for the stampede in Kumbh. 

BOOM found that the video shows Shankaracharya interacting with a Gujarati news outlet Jamawat on a video call and not Yogi Adityanath.

In the viral video, Shankaracharya can be heard saying in Hindi, “You had said I have made all the arrangements, so where did your arrangements go, your Kumbh also is similar to the previous Kumbh (melas). Your Kumbh should have been special, you were saying I have made all the arrangements. You were saying that 40 crores are going to come and I have made arrangement for 100 crores…when only 40 crores are coming in an arrangement meant for 100 crores, then why are your arrangements failing?” 

The video has been shared by Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress with the caption, “To Yogi Adityanath on video call Shankaracharya ji reprimanded.”

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Fact Check 

BOOM first ran keyword searches for news articles related to the video call interaction between Shankaracharya and Yogi, but did not find any credible reports.

The video has an ‘Exclusive Chauchak Media’ watermark on it and a logo at the end of the clip. We then found the video on the YouTube channel of Chauchak Media. 

The video was uploaded on February 5, 2025 with the description, “Shankaracharya was seen scolding on video call, made Yogi Adityanath realise the mistake.” It however did not clarify whether Shankaracharya was speaking to Yogi Adityanath.

Viral Video Is A Part Of An Interview 

We also found that several users pointed out that the video is part of an interview with a news outlet. Taking a hint, we ran a keyword search for recent interviews given by Shankaracharya and found a 13-minute long video on a Gujarati news channel called ‘Jamawat’. Shankaracharya can be seen making the same remarks as seen in the viral video when asked about stampedes happening in Kumbh gatherings. 

At the 6:07 timestamp, Shankaracharya criticises the administration and the chaos in Maha Kumbh this year.

Confirmation From The Media Channel 

Journalist Devanshi Joshi from Jamawat took the interview and it premiered on YouTube on February 3. Jamawat team told BOOM,, “This conversation is part of our interview. We had interviewed Shankaracharya on phone. It is being shared in the wrong context.” 

Journalist Devanshi Joshi, who interviewed Shankaracharya, also refuted the viral claim on X. She wrote, “During the recording of my interview, someone present there must have recorded it and used it to spread fake news.”

This story was originally published by BOOM, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective

Gorakhpur:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said Sanatan Dharma is the foundation of global humanity and not only India but also the entire world will be safeguarded if it remains secure.

He was addressing a felicitation ceremony for Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam of the Sringeri Sharada Peeth at the Gorakhnath Temple.

Adityanath highlighted that Sanatan Dharma neither imposes its beliefs on others nor restricts individual freedom.

“No other tradition offers the same level of liberty, openness and ease as Sanatan Dharma,” he said.

Welcoming Jagadguru Shankaracharya with a ceremonial robe and gifts, Adityanath noted that despite numerous attacks throughout history, the divine tradition of avatars, seers, sages and great souls has protected the Sanatan Dharma and ensured the safety of its followers.

The chief minister recalled that at one point, Sanatan Dharma seemed on the brink of decline but Adi Shankaracharya revived it through his Vijay Yatra, debates and the establishment of four mathas in India’s cardinal directions – Jyotish in the north, Jagannath in the east, Dwarka in the west, and Sringeri in the south.

Sharing his personal experiences, Adityanath mentioned that he had been fortunate to visit the Sringeri Peeth multiple times.

He also pointed out that the Gorakshpeeth has historically hosted Jagadgurus from the Sringeri Peeth, including during the 1977 Prayagraj Mahakumbh.

Speaking about the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Adityanath described it as a global message of unity. He said nearly 48 crore devotees had taken a holy dip in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers in the first 31 days of the 45-day event.

“This is the embodiment of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’,” he remarked, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that national integrity will remain unbroken through unity.

The chief minister also highlighted the recent transformation of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after a 500-year wait, crediting Modi’s leadership for the grandeur of these sacred sites.

He said the new look of Kashi and Ayodhya is a source of immense pride and joy for followers of Sanatan Dharma worldwide. 

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

Prayagraj:

The sacred bath on Maghi Purnima began early Wednesday as millions of devotees gathered in the Maha Kumbh Mela area here amid elaborate arrangements, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath monitoring the event from Lucknow.

With the Maghi Purnima bath, the month-long Kalpavas will also end and the around 10 lakh kalpvasis will start leaving the Maha Kumbh. The administration has requested all Kalpvasis to follow traffic rules and use only authorised parking spaces.

Lakhs of devotees have already taken the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and other ghats since the bathing started early morning. Millions of devotees are headed to the Sangam Nose to take a dip.

Chief Minister Adityanath is taking regular updates on the ‘Snan’ at Sangam, from the war room set up at his official residence in Lucknow.

Kumbh SSP Rajesh Dwivedi said, “The movement of devotees is going on smoothly and we are taking care of all (crowd) pressure points.” “We have made elaborate arrangements during the previous ‘snan’ on Basant Panchami too. Our arrangements have been further augmented this time. More deployment has been done at all the pressure points. Along with that, we are briefing people to ensure a smooth movement,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath greeted devotees and the residents of the state on the holy bathing festival.

“Heartiest greetings to all the revered saints, religious leaders, Kalpvasis and devotees who have come for the holy bath at the sacred Triveni in Maha Kumbh-2025, Prayagraj. May everyone’s life be filled with happiness, prosperity and good fortune by the grace of Lord Shri Hari. May Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna and Maa Saraswati fulfill everyone’s wishes,” he posted on X.

Officials said they have made elaborate arrangements for the occasion to ensure the devotees take the sacred bath without any hassle.

The fair area has been declared a ‘no vehicle zone’ from 4 am on Tuesday, while the entire city will become a no-vehicle zone from 5 pm onwards, with an exemption for emergency and essential services. To avoid traffic chaos, designated parking lots have been marked for public and private vehicles.

Prayagraj ADG Bhanu Bhaskar said special police forces have been deployed at all places where crowd management becomes challenging.

The special traffic plan will remain in force till the completion of the bathing ritual to ensure safe evacuation of devotees from the fair area in case of any emergency.

ADG Bhaskar said that real time data is being collected from toll plazas and officials of neighboring districts so that the number of vehicles coming and the routes can be monitored and regulated.

Srinivas, who has come from Andhra Pradesh to take a holy dip, said, “It feels good. The UP government has made good arrangements. Many thanks to Yogi Adityanath ji, many thanks to Prime Minister Modi. Everyone has come to take a bath on Maghi Purnima.”

Another devotee, Gayatri, said, “I am very happy to be here at the Kumbh Mela. I feel very good to be here on this auspicious occasion. The UP government has created a good atmosphere here. Actually being a Hindu, this is the first time I have really felt like an Indian. People have shown their religiousness and unity has been promoted.”

Officials said the state transport department has arranged 1,200 additional shuttle buses, which will be available every 10 minutes, for the return of the devotees, The Uttar Pradesh government said on Tuesday that only 14 days are left for the Maha Kumbh to end. More than 45 crore people have taken a dip in the Sangam so far since the grand religious event started on January 13.

The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26 with the final Amrit Snan on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

A stampede during the Manui Amaswya ‘Amirt Snan’ on January 29 had left, according to the Uttar Pradesh government, 30 dead and 60 injured. 

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