Ayodhya at stake again, Yogi hits reset button in UP: Back to Hindutva basics

In a move that is being perceived as both politically strategic and symbolically significant, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has taken on the responsibility for the Milkipur seat in Ayodhya and the Katehari seat in Ambedkarnagar (adjacent to Ayodhya) for the upcoming assembly by-elections.

While this decision might appear to be a routine political maneuver, its implications extend far beyond the immediate electoral battle.

Yogi Adityanath has been vocally critical of the silence maintained by the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress regarding the alleged atrocities against Dalit Hindus in Bangladesh, an issue he has spotlighted during the election preparations for both seats. “His focus on this issue signals an effort to transcend caste divisions among Hindus—whether forward, backward, or Dalit—and to consolidate a broader Hindu identity,” a political analyst said.

The chief minister’s emphasis on a hardline Hindutva agenda during this by-election campaign is expected to resonate not only in these local contests but also in the broader political landscape as Uttar Pradesh heads toward the 2027 state elections. Ayodhya, a city deeply entwined with the BJP’s ideological and electoral aspirations, remains central to the party's narrative of Hindu unity.

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP anticipated that the Hindu vote bank would overshadow caste considerations in Faizabad, but the outcome defied those expectations. The opposition’s narrative, which focused on constitutional changes and the abolition of reservations, successfully divided the Hindu electorate along caste lines. This setback has prompted the BJP, under Yogi's leadership, to refocus on uniting these fractured groups into a cohesive Hindu vote bank.

To achieve this, Yogi has taken several decisions that reinforce his Hindutva agenda. One such decision involved instructing vendors and eateries along the Kanwar pilgrimage route to display their nameplates. Although the Supreme Court has put this order on hold, the message has already resonated with the Hindu community.

In late July, the state government introduced a bill to amend the anti-conversion law, making the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, even more stringent. The UP assembly passed the amendment on July 30, reaffirming its commitment to combating what right-wing Hindu groups, including BJP leaders, refer to as "love jihad"—a conspiracy theory suggesting that Muslim men are attempting to convert Hindu women by luring them into marriage.

Additionally, Yogi's intervention prevented the demolition of two Hindu-majority colonies in Lucknow—Pant Nagar and Indraprastha Nagar—where residents had been concerned after the Irrigation Department marked their homes as being within a floodplain zone.

Calculated response

Yogi Adityanath’s direct involvement in the management of the Milkipur and Katehari seats is seen as a calculated response to the opposition's challenge to the BJP’s Hindutva agenda, particularly in the wake of the party's recent electoral losses. By spearheading the campaign in these critical seats, Yogi aims to counter the opposition’s narrative and reassert the BJP’s commitment to Hindutva.

Moreover, by rallying from Ayodhya—a place of immense spiritual and political significance—the CM is working to raise awareness among Dalits and backward classes across the state about what he describes as the opposition's divisive tactics. His speeches have frequently highlighted the development Ayodhya has witnessed under BJP rule, contrasting it with what he terms as superficial respect offered by the opposition.

Hindutva as the core message

His actions have been translated into words as CM's speeches have consistently focused on the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly the Dalit community, and the alleged indifference of opposition parties towards this issue. Yogi has underscored that, regardless of electoral outcomes, the BJP’s commitment to its core values—namely Hindutva—remains unwavering.

By foregrounding the suffering of Dalit Hindus in Bangladesh, Yogi Adityanath is sending a clear message that caste divisions could jeopardize the security and unity of the Hindu community. His repeated emphasis on the fact that 90% of the victims of these atrocities are Dalits aims to foster a sense of solidarity among Hindus that transcends caste.

In his appeal to the Hindu electorate, Yogi has argued that the opposition's silence on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh is due to the fractured nature of the Hindu vote bank. By focusing on caste-based divisions, parties like the SP and Congress are, according to Yogi, exploiting these divisions for their own gain, rather than advocating for the broader interests of the Hindu community.

The ongoing by-election campaign, therefore, is not just a battle for two assembly seats but a larger effort by CM Yogi Adityanath to consolidate the Hindu vote bank ahead of future electoral challenges. His approach seeks to unify the Hindu community, emphasizing that their collective strength lies in overcoming caste-based divisions.