Yogi Adityanath draws Babur comparison with situation in Sambhal, Bangladesh: 'Their DNA is the same ...'

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday compared the communal tensions in Sambhal and Bangladesh to the Mughal invasion led by Babur, claiming that all three share the same "DNA". Later, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav hit back at Yogi over his remarks.

Earlier, speaking at the inauguration of Ramayan Mela in Ayodhya, Yogi said that certain elements are trying to break the social unity in the society.

"Remember what Babur's man did in Ayodhya Kumbh 500 years ago. The same thing happened in Sambhal, and the same is happening in Bangladesh. The nature of the three and their DNA is the same. If someone believes that this is happening in Bangladesh, then the same elements are here too waiting to hand you over," he said.

500 , , DNA ... pic.twitter.com/GTbXq6VEXN

Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 5, 2024

He was alluding to Mughal commander Mir Baqi, who is said to have destroyed a pre-existing Ram temple to build the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

During his address, the UP chief minister said that people who are trying to disrupt peace have properties abroad and will flee when the crisis comes to a boiling point.

" ... they have made full arrangements to break the social unity. Some of the people talking about this are such who have property abroad. If a crisis happens here, they will run away and leave others here to die," he said.

Reacting strongly to Yogi's remarks, Akhilesh said that the UP chief minister should get his own DNA checked. "A seer shouldn't make such remarks...And if he talks about DNA, then he should get his DNA checked," Akhilesh said.

Yogi was referring to the recent communal tensions that erupted in UP's Sambhal after a court ordered the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid following claims that a Harihar temple previously stood at the site.

Five people were killed in violence during a second survey on November 24 as protesters gathered near the mosque and clashed with security personnel.

Separately, the rise in attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh has raised concerns in India, with the ministry of external affairs urging Dhaka to address the issue urgently.