'If Muslim processions can ...': Yogi Adityanath speaks in UP Assembly on communal violence

UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Addressing the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on the first day of the ongoing four-day session, chief minister Yogi Adityanath questioned the specific nature of communal flare-ups in the state.

The chief minister, trying to understand the anatomy of violence, remarked why flare-ups breakout specifically occur when Hindu processions pass through a Muslim area, whereas Muslim processions pass through Hindu areas peacefully.

He added that the history of riots in Sambhal dates back to 1947. He claimed that 184 Hindus were burnt in 1974 and 209 Hindus have been killed in Sambhal since 1947. Raising questions about the Sambhal violence, Adityanath questioned who were the stone pelters, adding that whoever they are, they will not be spared.

The chief minister also took a swipe at the Congress and opposition parties for claiming "exclusive ownership" of India's legacy. "Some people wander around with a self-proclaimed contract of representing India and treat Discovery of India as if it were the oldest book of this country," he remarked, without naming any party.

Yogi Adityanath spoke about the temple in Sambhal that was unlocked recently after decades, following an anti-encroachment drive by the local administration, according to an official statement.

He emphasised the historic significance of the temple, which included an ancient idol of Bajrang Bali and a Jyotirlinga. "This temple did not reappear overnight. It represents our enduring heritage and the truth of our history," he said. The CM announced that while 40 crore devotees are expected to attend the 45-day Prayagraj Mahakumbh (from January 13 to February 26), arrangements are being made to accommodate 100 crore people.

The Samajwadi Party members were in a combative mood even before the Assembly session got underway. They sat on the steps of the Vidhan Sabha with placards that, among other issues, read that the riots in the state were a result of the complete failure of the BJP government.

"According to NCRB data, from 2017 till now, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a decrease of 97 to 99 per cent in communal riots," the UP CM said. He said that no actual riot has taken place in UP since 2017, however between 2012 to 2017, added Yoginath. He said according to the NCRB data, 815 communal riots have taken place in the state and 192 people were killed. He said between 2007 and 2011, 616 instances of communal riots took place in which 121 people were killed.