Are Muslims safe in UP? Yogi responds with strong statement
What's the story
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asserted that all religions are safe in the state.
"In Uttar Pradesh, Muslims are the safest. If Hindus are safe, then they are also safe," Adityanath said.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2017, there have been no communal riots in the state, he contended.
He added that both Hindu and Muslim shops were attacked during the riots pre-2017.
Tolerance
Adityanath's perspective on religious tolerance
Adityanath spoke of religious tolerance, saying a Muslim family is safe among 100 Hindu families.
All religious customs can be practiced freely in such a situation, he added.
"But can 50 Hindus be safe among 100 Muslim families? No. Bangladesh is an example. Before this, Pakistan was an example. What happened in Afghanistan? If there is smoke or someone is being hit, we should be careful before we get hit. That is what needs to be taken care of."
Beliefs
Adityanath on Sanatan Dharma and religious conversion
Adityanath also backed the Sanatan Dharma as the world's oldest religion, claiming its practitioners have never converted anyone to their faith.
He said, "There is no example anywhere in the world where Hindu rulers, using their strength, have established dominion over others."
He also took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying specimens like him are a boon.
"It is important for the BJP that some specimens like Rahul...remain so the path is always clear," he said.
Political critique
Adityanath's criticism of Rahul Gandhi and Congress
Adityanath said the Congress leader's nationwide march, Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan, was actually Bharat Todo Abhiyan.
He alleged that Gandhi has been criticizing India abroad and implied that the country has understood his nature and intentions.
He further alleged that Congress wanted to keep the Ayodhya issue controversy going on to ask why they didn't abolish triple talaq or promote the Kumbh Mela with pride.
Temple revival
Adityanath's stance on temple revival, Mathura mosque dispute
Adityanath, who is the mahant of the Gorakhnath Temple, said important sites of Hinduism are symbols of India's heritage.
He affirmed the government will keep reviving temples as more evidence is found.
However, on the Mathura mosque dispute, he assured adherence to court decisions.
"We are abiding by the court's decision; otherwise, who knows what could have happened by now?" he said.