Amidst the string of victories forged by the Bhartiya Janata Party in the recent polls held in the North East, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath once again showcased the core 'Hindutva' ideology of the saffron party by making a telling remark which certainly raised tensions in the political landscape.
Yogi responded to the remark made by Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary’s remark that he was a CM only to the ‘so-called Hindus’ and said that he does not celebrate Eid and is proud of being a Hindu.
“I do not celebrate Eid, I am a Hindu and I am proud of it. Wearing a sacred thread at home but coming out wearing a cap…this kind of hypocrisy is not something the BJP government indulges in,” he said adding that if someone wants to celebrate Eid, the government would provide all support.
He added, “There is nothing wrong in being proud of being a Hindu.”
The CM also told the Opposition that the ‘red cap’, which is the symbol of the Samajwadi Party, will be brought down the same way his party had succeeded to bring down the ‘Red Flag’ in Tripura, adding that the time of ‘bhagwa’ and ‘kesariya’ had come as an uproar in the Assembly.
Earlier in the day, Chaudhary, while speaking on the proposed amendment to the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, had said that the present government was playing with the expectations of the “Dalit and the backward Muslims’, and alleged that the UP CM was made only by ‘Tathakathit Hindus’ (so-called Hindus), and advised him to try to become the chief minister for everyone.
Recalling a statement made by Adityanath on Holi celebrations, Chaudhary said that just like Holi and Diwali, Eid is also an equally significant festival and alleged that the CM does not celebrate Eid because he is a Hindu and it is also against the decorum of the post held by him.
Chaudhary said, “He is not a complete Chief Minister, he should try being a complete CM for everyone.” He also cited the Kasganj violence and alleged that the country would not have been divided if it was not for the wrong policies of the BJP.
Adityanath responded to Chaudhary’s statements by giving him a warning. He said, “India won’t break, but we will break those who try to break it.” He also referred to the Samajwadi Party as ‘separatists’ and ‘the biggest superstition of present time’.
The CM also warned the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly and said, “We have suppressed the Red Flag in Tripura, and now we will suppress the Red Cap in Pradesh. It is saffron’s time and now, Red Cap will not work.” He repeated, saying, “After the red flag (came down), it is now the turn of the red cap.”
The House was adjourned till March 11 because of the uproar created by Adityanath’s comments.