Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a strong attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over his recent remarks on Ayodhya, accusing the opposition leader of ignoring his party’s past record on religious issues. The Chief Minister made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Hathras during an event marking the inauguration and foundation stone-laying of 143 development projects worth ₹548 crore.

The political exchange comes a day after Akhilesh Yadav pledged that, if voted to power, the Samajwadi Party would develop Ayodhya into a “peerless and inimitable sacred city” that would attract devotees from across the world. Yadav had posted on social media that his vision for Ayodhya would focus on devotion, integrity and spiritual development.

Responding sharply, CM Yogi questioned the SP’s credibility on matters related to religious development and accused the party of having a history of opposing Hindu traditions. He alleged that during the previous SP government, there were incidents involving action against Ram devotees and said the party’s governance record should be “looked at carefully” before making promises about Ayodhya.

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The Chief Minister also claimed that Ayodhya’s cultural and religious prominence has been restored under the BJP-led government, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the efforts of Ram devotees. He said the city now reflects a renewed spiritual identity and compared its transformation to a return of its historical significance.

Expanding his criticism, CM Yogi alleged that earlier governments had imposed restrictions on Hindu religious practices, including celebrations of Janmashtami in police stations and jails, and had curtailed traditional events such as the Kanwar Yatra. He contrasted this with his government’s focus on restoring and developing religious sites across Uttar Pradesh.

He further highlighted development work at pilgrimage centres such as Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, stating that the government is investing in infrastructure to promote spiritual tourism. Taking another swipe at the opposition, he accused the SP of lacking a development agenda and engaging in appeasement politics, while urging its leaders to acknowledge the changes in the state’s religious and cultural landscape.

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