Protection of Sanatan dharma imperative for world peace: Yogi Adityanath

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raised the issue of attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. (File Photo: PTI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that respect and conservation of Sanatan dharma was the only way to ensure the protection of humanity in the world and claimed that those who attacked Sanatan dharma never managed to prosper.

"Respect and protection of Sanatan Dharma is the only way to save humanity in the world. There is no other religion in the world that teaches us to talk about everyone's welfare. Our saints have given us this inspiration thousands of years ago," Yogi Adityanath said addressing a religious gathering in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

During his address, Adityanath also pointed to historical instances of temples being destroyed and emphasized on the need to conserve and protect the Sanatan dharma.

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Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 20, 2024

"Do not forget that it is only the Sanatan dharma which has given refuge, protection and an opportunity to live and prosper to all castes, religions and sects in times of adversity.
But are Hindus being treated the same in other parts of the world? What is happening in Bangladesh today, or what happened in Pakistan or Afghanistan? I want to ask who destroyed the symbols of Sanatan dharma and why?"

"The intention to conceal their savage deeds was part of a conspiracy to turn the entire world into hell. It was part of this conspiracy that the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi, Kalki avatar's Harihar Bhoomi or the Saraswati temple in Bhoj or the Somnath temple were destroyed or contaminated. Those who destroyed these temples lost their linage. They never prospered," Adityanath said.

The remarks came a day after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat voiced his concerns about the increasing number of temple-mosque disputes across India and criticised those whom he believes were attempting to establish themselves as leaders of Hindus by stirring up such controversies.

"We have been living in harmony for a long time. If we want to provide this harmony to the world, we need to create a model of it. After the construction of the Ram Mandir, some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by raking up similar issues in new places. This is not acceptable,” Bhagwat said while delivering a lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru’ in Pune.

The RSS chief said that a new dispute is being brought up in the country every day and questioned why it was being allowed. Bhagwat said this cannot continue and added that India needs to show that “we can live together”.

Bhagwat's remarks came in wake of multiple petitions filed in recent months in various courts across the country seeking surveys of mosques, based on claims that they were built over ancient temples. Bhagwat, however, did not specifically name any of these ongoing cases during his lecture.