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Yogi Adityanath criticised those who sowed seeds of discord within society, stating that their divisive tendencies persist even today
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (Photo: ANI)
Uttar Pradesh (UP) chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s remark on Thursday — “the DNA of Ayodhya, Sambhal and Bangladesh is common” — has started a political row in the state. Responding to it, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said the UP CM should first get “his DNA checked”.
Drawing parallels between the history of Ayodhya, Sambhal, and the present crisis in Bangladesh, Adityanath said: “500 years ago, a general of Babur committed certain deeds in Ayodhya, similar to the acts in Sambhal, and what is happening today in Bangladesh…the nature and DNA of all three are the same.”
Yogi further said: “If we had given importance to unity and not let the strategy of the nation’s enemies succeed in creating social animosity, this country would have never become a slave.” Adityanath said, while calling for unity to strengthen the nation and safeguard its cultural and historical legacy. He said that foreign invaders exploited internal divisions to succeed, weakening the nation and tarnishing its pilgrimages. “United India’s brave soldiers could have crushed such invasions, preserving its sovereignty,” he said, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 43rd Ramayan Mela in Ayodhya on Thursday.
Adityanath criticised those who sowed seeds of discord within society, stating that their divisive tendencies persist even today. While taking a veiled dig at the opposition, he accused them of engaging in caste-based politics to disrupt the social fabric. He said that such actions, driven by self-interest, weaken societal unity and hinder progress, calling for vigilance against divisive forces to maintain harmony and national strength.
He warned against divisive elements already active, tearing apart the social fabric, breaking unity, and preparing for violence (“aapko kaatne aur katwaane ka”). Adityanath criticised such forces for buying properties abroad, fleeing during crises, and leaving Indian citizens to “suffer and die”.
बाबर के एक सिपहसालार ने 500 वर्ष पहले जो काम श्री अयोध्या धाम में किया था, संभल में किया था और जो काम आज बांग्लादेश में हो रहा है, तीनों का DNA एक है… pic.twitter.com/GTbXq6VEXN— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 5, 2024
SP HITS BACK
Yadav said, “I don’t know how much science the chief minister knows and how much biology he has studied… But I want to request him that he should not talk about DNA,” said Yadav, who was in Kanpur to attend a private function.
“Through you, and I am saying this with full responsibility, that he should not talk about DNA… and if he talks about DNA, then we all want to get our DNA checked. The chief minister should also get his DNA checked… I want to get my DNA checked.”
He further said that talk of DNA does not suit him. “Being a saint, a yogi in saffron robes, this language should not be used,” he added.
IN THE PAST
This was not the first time that Yogi drew a parallel between the temple-mosque dispute sites of UP. In February 2024, while speaking in the state assembly, the UP CM not only touched upon the ongoing disputes surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque dispute in Varanasi (Kashi) and the Shahi Idgah mosque dispute in Mathura, but also supported the demand for temples at the two places, drawing parallels with Ayodhya – the town that witnessed a grand consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir in January 2024.
“Injustice was done to Ayodhya. When I talk about injustice, we remember the incident that occurred 5,000 years ago when Pandavas had only sought five villages from Kauravas, but they did not give them. In our country, the majority community wanted only three places (Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura). But for that, too, they are made to beg,” Adityanath had said during the motion of thanks on the governor’s speech in the UP assembly.
Bangladesh has been grappling with unrest since the Sheikh Hasina-led government was ousted in August following student protests. In Dhaka, demonstrations have erupted over alleged atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities. Protesters are demanding the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON leader, who was arrested on sedition charges, further intensifying tension in the country.