NEW DELHI: As a temple locked since 1978 after communal riots was reopened in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the temple did not reappear overnight and represents “enduring heritage and the truth of our history”.
At a Kumbh-related event, he addressed the violent incidents from 46 years ago in Sambhal, asking, “did the administration suddenly build such an ancient temple overnight in Sambhal? Did Lord Hanuman’s centuries-old idol appear overnight? Did the ancient jyotirlinga just emerge out of nowhere? Was this not a matter of faith? Why have the culprits responsible for the massacre in Sambhal 46 years ago not been punished to date? Why is there no discussion about the innocent lives lost back then? What was the fault of those who were brutally killed in Sambhal 46 years ago?”
He further questioned, “What if the Ayodhya verdict on the Ram temple had not been delivered? What if the Ram temple had not been built? Would an international airport have been established in Ayodhya? Would the streets of Ayodhya have been developed into four-lane roads? Would Ayodhya have been connected with a double railway line? Would Ayodhya have achieved such excellent connectivity?”
He said that while Ayodhya’s residents and pilgrims appreciate the city’s transformation, certain groups express dissatisfaction. He criticised these groups for inserting the term “secular” into the Constitution, which he believes diminished its original meaning.
“They are troubled by the transformation of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the construction of the Ram temple, and the divine grandeur of Ayodhya. Their grievance is that despite ruling for decades, they accomplished nothing. Instead of introspecting, they blame our success for their own failures,” he remarked.
The statements followed the discovery of a 400-year-old Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple in Sambhal, closed since 1978. The temple was found during an encroachment and electricity theft inspection, with officials planning its restoration.
Opposition leaders responded strongly to the chief minister’s comments. Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq said, “These kinds of remarks are being made to divert attention from issues like unemployment and inflation. The public wants development, and the Samajwadi Party government will be formed in the state.”
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said, “UP CM Yogi Adityanath is in a very tough competition. There is a very tough competition going on with ‘Gujarat wale bhaiya’. Either you are with the Constitution or with this kind of hate-mongering language.”
The temple’s reopening has drawn significant attention. UP Police have been stationed outside, and the premises have been cleaned and equipped with electricity. Security measures include the installation of CCTV cameras.