Yogi Targets Ajay Rai Over Alleged Fish Feast During Ayodhya Visit In Sawan Month

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday criticised state Congress president Ajay Rai over an alleged fish feast at a welcome programme in Ayodhya, calling his visit to Hanumangarhi temple followed by attendance at the event an example of “duplicity”. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing fish allegedly being prepared at a banquet hall where a Nishad community programme for Rai was reportedly organised. The incident has triggered a political and religious controversy in Ayodhya, with local religious figures objecting to the alleged serving of non-vegetarian food during Sawan, a month considered particularly significant by devotees of Lord Shiva.

The dispute has also become part of a wider political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, with both sides trading accusations over the issue and its relevance. According to news agency ANI, Yogi Adityanath raised the issue while addressing a gathering in Raebareli on Monday. He alleged that Rai first visited Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and subsequently attended an event where fish was allegedly served. The chief minister questioned the Congress leader’s decision to participate in such a programme in Ayodhya during Sawan and described the conduct as contradictory.

“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish,” Yogi said, according to ANI. He further alleged that Rai could have eaten whatever he wanted elsewhere but questioned why such an event involving non-vegetarian food was held in Ayodhya. Yogi also used a sharp political attack, saying even a chameleon would be embarrassed by what he described as the Congress leader’s contradictory behaviour. The Congress, however, has rejected the framing of the incident as presented by the BJP.

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Rai has maintained that he attended a Nishad Samaj programme after offering prayers at Hanumangarhi, disputing the suggestion that the episode amounted to deliberate disrespect toward religious sentiments. Congress MP Pawan Khera also dismissed the controversy as an attempt to divert public attention from other issues, including allegations surrounding paper leaks. The dispute comes as political parties in Uttar Pradesh continue to spar over religious practices, public conduct and issues affecting voters.

The alleged fish feast has provided fresh ammunition for the BJP to attack the Congress leadership, while the opposition has accused the ruling party of focusing on a controversy instead of addressing questions surrounding examinations and alleged paper leaks. With competing claims over what happened at the Ayodhya programme, the controversy remains centred on the alleged serving of fish, Rai’s presence at the event and the political interpretation of his temple visit. The available information establishes that the video and subsequent statements have triggered the row, but the specific circumstances surrounding the preparation or consumption of fish at the event should be distinguished from the political claims being made by both sides.

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