UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Mathura land dispute: ‘Following Court orders, or else…’

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath (Image: ANI)

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, responding to criticism over “bulldozer action” by his government, said that some people need to be explained in the language they understand.

“Those who believe in justice, justice is done for them. Those who take justice and law into their own hands, they are taught a lesson in the framework of law. It should be explained in the language in which they understand it,” CM Adityanath told ANI in an exclusive interview.

"Jo jaise samjhega, usko ussi bhasha mein samjhana chahiye," the chief minister stated.

“If someone comes in front of us as a violent person to attack us, should we stand in front of him? No, if he comes as a violent person, then we will have to respond to his violence there,” he added.

On March 24, the Supreme Court slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over its "high handed" demolition in Prayagraj saying it had shocked its conscience.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also frowned upon the manner which the houses were bulldozed within 24 hours of serving notices without the time to appeal.

"It shocks our conscience how the residential premises were demolished in a high handed manner. The manner in which the whole process has been conducted is shocking. Courts cannot tolerate such process. If we tolerate in one case it will continue," the bench said.

On the ongoing religious site dispute in Mathura, the CM said that the UP government is following court orders.

“Why should we not raise the issue of Mathura? Isn't Mathura the birthplace of Shri Krishna? We are following the orders of the court. Or else, a lot could have happened there,” Yogi Adityanath told ANI.

The chief minister, responding to a question on the Sambhal row, said that the government is working within the legal framework.

“Whatever it is, we will find it. We will tell the world to see what had happened in Sambhal? Sambhal is a truth,” he said.