Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday criticized individuals who praise foreign invaders and forcefully occupy places of worship, citing the example of Sambhal as an illustration of hidden truths. Speaking at the ‘Manthan-Mahakumbh and Beyond’ program organized by Panchajanya and Organizer in Lucknow, CM Yogi stated that when such truths are revealed, those who glorify foreign invaders will be left speechless.
Referring to the issue of forced occupations of religious sites, CM Yogi said, “Sambhal is the truth. I respect every sect and religion, but it is unacceptable if someone forcibly occupies a place and destroys someone’s faith.” He pointed out that while Sambhal once had 68 pilgrimage sites, only 18 had been found so far, emphasizing that it took 56 years for the Shiva temple there to perform Jalabhishek (ritual offering of water).
Yogi Adityanath also responded to recent remarks made by the President of Indonesia, who claimed that his DNA would trace back to India. He urged critics to “stop praising foreign invaders” and warned that the truth about events like those in Sambhal would make it impossible for such individuals to show their faces.
CM Yogi further discussed the significance of the Maha Kumbh, describing it as a true representation of Sanatan Dharma and India’s identity. He criticized Congress for making negative remarks about the event, noting that the first Kumbh Mela organized after independence in 1954 was marred by corruption and chaos under Congress’ rule, leading to over 1,000 deaths.
Addressing criticisms from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav regarding the cleanliness of Maha Kumbh 2025, CM Yogi recalled the state of the event in 2013 when the Prime Minister of Mauritius, visiting Prayagraj, was shocked by the filth and disorder at the Sangam. He contrasted this with the current government’s successful efforts to ensure a clean and organized Maha Kumbh, accusing critics of having contributed to the chaos in the past.