Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to Muslim leaders to “show generosity and hand over the disputed sites in Varanasi, Mathura and Sambhal to Hindus”.
In the ‘Pranam India’ show at the Maha Kumbh Mela site in Prayagraj, when Yogi Adityanath was asked why his government rejected the Muslim leaders’ offer to give Waqf land for the Maha Kumbh, Yogi said, “If you want to show generosity, show it a little in Kashi, Mathura and Sambhal. There is no need to show generosity in Prayagraj. Prayagraj has taken whatever it had to take.”
Yogi said, “For one India, great India, there is a need to show generosity there, like Gyanvapi should be returned to Sanatan Dharma. The site of Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi has been with the faith of Sanatan Dharma followers for thousands of years, the next incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu is going to happen in Sambhal. There is a need to show generosity there. I would like to tell Muslim leaders to think keeping in mind the future of the present and future generations. The problem will not be solved by mere stubbornness. If they really show generosity, a big heart, then the Hindu society will give them a lot of respect. Otherwise, they will always face problems.”
Notably, issues such as Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which is said to have been built after demolishing the Shri Hari Vishnu temple, are currently pending in various courts.
When Yogi was asked why the ASI survey of the mosque in Sambhal was done in a hurry, he said, “There is no delay in auspicious works here. Once the auspicious time has passed, there is no need to check the time again and again. … Everything moves forward. I think, the country and the world are seeing everything that happened in Sambhal. Mythical stepwells are being found, wells are being found, ancient forts are also being found there. Along with our Puranas, this has also been mentioned in Ain-e-Akbari. Mir Baqi demolished the temple of Shri Vishnu in 1526 and built the structure of a mosque there, which people there today call Jama Masjid. Abul Fazal writes this hundreds of years ago, it was not written by any Hindu. How can these people deny the accounts of that time which he has mentioned. It is possible that they may not believe in the Puranas, but at least Just look at Ain-e-Akbari. Believe it. If I quote this from some Hindu text, they might have a problem, but this quote is being given from their source only. A lot is going to be revealed there in the coming times.”
Yogi said, “Even the Muslims in Sambhal whose ancestors had converted to Islam during that period have kept records of their gotras and they want the temple to be rebuilt. The problem is with the leaders who consider Muslims as their vote bank. They are worried.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “We are people who believe that wherever there is Dharma, it will definitely win. And I think we will take it with democratic values, we will take it under the constitutional system of India, that is why there is a need to show generosity there.”
On the quality of Ganga water at Sangam in Prayagraj, CM Yogi claimed that the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) level at Sangam is less than five, while BOD between 15 and 25 is considered suitable for bathing and drinking. He said, “The credit for this goes to Prime Minister Modi’s Namami Gange project, which has made the Ganga water drinkable.”
On Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav’s allegation that the number of pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh is being exaggerated, Yogi Adityanath replied, “Pratyakshayam Kim Pramanam? We used artificial intelligence and latest technology to measure the correct number without any external help. In the first two days, 1.25 to 1.5 crore people visited the Maha Kumbh and currently 30-40 lakh pilgrims are taking the holy dip every day.”
To the Opposition’s allegation that over Rs 7,500 crore was spent on the Maha Kumbh, the chief minister replied: “Tourism boosts economic growth. We had to arrange roads, railway stations, airports, tents and all other facilities to handle the huge rush of pilgrims. Around 20 lakh people are taking the holy dip at the ghats every day. By spending Rs 7,500 crore, we hope to boost Uttar Pradesh’s economy to Rs 2 lakh crore.”
Yogi Adityanath compared the current Maha Kumbh to the Kumbh Mela organised by Samajwadi Party minister Azam Khan in 2013. “At that time 41 people had lost their lives, the Prime Minister of Mauritius was so saddened to see the filth in the Ganga water that he prayed from a distance with folded hands, refused to take a dip and left. The Samajwadi Party should keep its ‘success story’ in its home,” he said.
On the question of banning the entry of Muslims in Maha Kumbh, Yogi said, “Any person coming to Maha Kumbh is never asked about his caste or community. Anyone can come. But if anyone tries to disrespect Indian faith, we will adopt a ‘tit for tat’ policy.”
On the allegation that Yogi was endorsing Manu Smriti, the Chief Minister replied: “From north to south and east to west, India is one. Dress, language, food habits and lifestyle may differ. If Sanatan Dharma is safe, India is safe. If India is safe, then Sanatan Dharma is safe.”
Rajat Sharma’s show ‘Pranam India’ with Yogi Adityanath will be telecast tonight at 10 pm on India TV.