Akhilesh Yadav’s sharp attack at Yogi Adityanath: ‘Wearing saffron clothes does not make…’

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday lashed out at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of insulting families searching for their missing loved ones at the Maha Kumbh by referring to them as "vultures."

Yadav’s remarks came in response to Adityanath’s recent statement in the state assembly, where he targeted the Opposition, saying, “vultures got dead bodies, pigs got dirt, and devotees got God” at the Maha Kumbh.

“Even now, many people are searching for their loved ones — brothers, children and parents (lost in Maha Kumbh stampede last month). Some are still missing. Is the chief minister calling these grieving families’ vultures? This is the height of insensitivity from someone holding a constitutional position,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Since the stampede last month, Yadav has continuously attacked the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over “mismanagement” during the largest religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

The loss of lives and chaos in Maha Kumbh is proof of his government's failure, Yadav said as he questioned the Uttar Pradesh chief minister over the actions taken by his government over the major tragedy.

Responding to Adityanath's attack on the SP in the assembly, Yadav said, “The language of the chief minister is undemocratic, he is making baseless comments on the socialists. He does not know anything about 'samajwad' (socialism), 'samajwadis' (socialists) and democracy.”

Attacking the UP CM’s leadership, the SP chief further stated, "Wearing saffron clothes does not make one a true yogi. A real yogi is defined by language, conduct, and behaviour. The entire Sanatan people know that even Ravan had disguised himself as a saint. We must be wary of those whose language and behaviour have deteriorated."

He further accused the BJP of inciting division and undermining communal harmony.

What did CM Yogi Adityanath say?

With the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj nearing its end, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday took a sharp swipe at the Opposition. He remarked that people received what they desired from the religious event, stating that “vultures” got “corpses,” “pigs” found “filth,” and devotees attained God—a statement widely seen as a veiled attack on his opponents.

"Vultures got only dead bodies. Pigs got dirt. Sensitive people got a beautiful picture of relationships. People with faith got a sense of fulfilment. Gentlemen got gentlemanliness, the poor got employment, the rich got business. Devotees got clean arrangements... Devotees got God. It means that everyone has seen and felt things according to their nature and character," he said.

Adityanath said that under the SP rule, the then-chief minister neglected Kumbh preparations and entrusted its management to "a non-Sanatani."

The BJP leader’s remarks were aimed at the 2013 Kumbh, held when Akhilesh Yadav was chief minister and Mohammad Azam Khan was appointed as the event’s in-charge.