NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a swipe at Yogi Adityanath after the Uttar Pradesh chief minister mentioned in the assembly that cricketer Mohammed Shami had also taken a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh.
Adityanath, while rejecting reports of discrimination with devotees at the Maha Kumbh, said: “There is no basis in allegations of discrimation at the Maha Kumbh. Cricketer Mohd Shami also took a holy dip.”
While there is no confirmation if Shami has actually visited Khumbh and taken a holy dip, Akhilesh Yadav used Adityanath’s remarks to target the UP CM: “Has cricketer’s name also been changed?”
Akhilesh’s reaction was a swipe at Adityanath over the UP chief minister’s move of changing sevearal old Mughal and British era names of cities and stations since he came to power in 2017.
Since becoming the chief minister in 2017, Yogi has implemented a series of name changes for various roads, parks, buildings, and landmarks across Uttar Pradesh. Many of these renamings are in honour of prominent figures, with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee being a major recipient. In Lucknow, notable locations like Atal Bihari Vajpayee Road, Atal Setu, and Atal Chauraha reflect his legacy.
The Mughalsarai railway station, the fourth busiest in India, was renamed Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, while Allahabad was renamed to Prayagraj ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela.
The Aligarh municipal body passed a resolution calling for the city’s renaming to Harigarh, and Firozabad was proposed to be renamed Chandra Nagar, TOI had earlier reported.
In fact, Adityanath has even suggested that the name of Azamgarh – the parliamentary constituency of Akhilesh Yadav, be changed to Aryangarh.
Akhilesh backs Mamata, Yogi hits back
Earlier today, Akhilesh voiced support for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ remarks, criticising the UP government’s arrangements for the Maha Kumbh. The SP chief alleged that a large number of people from Bengal had died during the event, claiming that FIRs were not being registered in Uttar Pradesh.
He accused CM Adityanath of exploiting public emotions by claiming preparations had been made for 100 crore people. Yadav also suggested the BJP was taking advantage of public sentiment to cover up its failures.
Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticised the Kumbh’s organisers for inadequate planning, which led to stampedes in Prayagraj and New Delhi Railway Station. She said that there is disparity between the arrangements for the rich and poor, claiming that VIPs could secure tents worth up to Rs 1 lakh, while the poor had no such provisions.
In response, CM Yogi Adityanath condemned the opposition’s criticism. He expressed condolences for the victims of the stampedes and criticised the politicisation of their deaths. Yogi also dismissed opposition claims about the Kumbh, saying the government had handled its responsibilities effectively.
“While we are participating in the discussion here, more than 56.25 crore devotees have already taken their holy dip in Prayagraj… When we make baseless allegations or spread fake videos against Sanatan Dharma, Maa Ganga, India, or the Maha Kumbh, it is like playing with the faith of these 56 crore people,” he said.
“Seven days of the Maha Kumbh are left, and as per the figures, more than 56 crore devotees have taken a holy dip till this afternoon… Our sympathies are with all those who were victims of the stampede on 29 January… and those who lost their lives in road accidents while travelling for Kumbh. Our condolences are with the family members, the government stands with them, the government will help them in every possible way but how appropriate is it to politicise this?..” the UP CM added.