Introduction:
Yogi Adityanath, born as Ajay Singh Bisht, is a controversial figure in Indian politics. He has been the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since March 2017, and his tenure has been marked by a series of contentious decisions and actions. While some praise him for his boldness and strong leadership, others criticize him for his communal rhetoric and authoritarian tendencies. In this article, we will delve into the reality of Yogi Adityanath and explore the truth and secrets behind him.
Early Life and Political Career:
Yogi Adityanath was born on 5 June 1972 in the village of Panchur, in the district of Pauri Garhwal, in the state of Uttarakhand. He completed his education in the town of Gorakhpur, in Uttar Pradesh. He was appointed as the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math, a prominent Hindu temple, in 2014. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament, from Gorakhpur in 1998, and he has been re-elected from the same constituency in every subsequent general election.
Communal Rhetoric and Controversial Statements:
Yogi Adityanath is known for his communal rhetoric and controversial statements. He has made several statements that have been widely criticized for their divisive and inflammatory nature. For example, in 2005, he made a statement that Muslims should not be allowed to vote unless they prove their Indian citizenship. In 2015, he said that those who oppose yoga should leave India and that they should be drowned in the sea. In 2018, he said that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit and that the Congress party was anti-Dalit.
Actions as Chief Minister:
Since becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has taken several actions that have been controversial and divisive. One of his first actions as Chief Minister was to order the closure of illegal slaughterhouses in the state, which was criticized by many as a move against the Muslim community, who are disproportionately involved in the meat industry. He has also taken steps to promote Hindu nationalism, such as renaming several cities and towns with Hindu names and increasing the budget for the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu religious festival.
Law and Order:
One of the main issues that Yogi Adityanath has focused on as Chief Minister is law and order. He has taken several steps to improve the situation, such as setting up anti-Romeo squads to curb incidents of harassment of women, and initiating a crackdown on organized crime. However, his approach has also been criticized for being heavy-handed, with some alleging that the police have used excessive force in dealing with suspects.
Economic Policies:
Yogi Adityanath has also taken steps to boost the economy of Uttar Pradesh. He has initiated several infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a new international airport in Jewar, and the development of a new expressway connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur. He has also introduced several policies aimed at promoting investment in the state, such as the single-window clearance system for investors.
Covid-19 Response:
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a major challenge for Yogi Adityanath's administration. Uttar Pradesh has been one of the worst affected states in India, with a high number of cases and deaths. Yogi Adityanath has taken several steps to contain the spread of the virus, such as setting up Covid Care Centres and ramping up testing. However, his response has also been criticized for being slow and inadequate, with allegations of under-reporting of cases and deaths.
Controversies and Criticisms:
Yogi Adityanath has been the subject of several controversies and criticisms during his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the most significant ones are:
Encounters: Yogi Adityanath's administration has been accused of extrajudicial killings in encounters with criminals. While the government has defended these actions as necessary to maintain law and order, critics argue that they violate human rights and the rule of law.
Anti-Muslim Violence: Uttar Pradesh has witnessed several instances of anti-Muslim violence during Yogi Adityanath's tenure, such as the 2017 communal riots in Muzaffarnagar and the 2019 violence in Bulandshahr. Critics allege that the government has been complicit in these incidents, and that Yogi Adityanath's communal rhetoric has contributed to a climate of fear and intolerance.
Censorship: Yogi Adityanath's administration has been accused of censorship and suppression of dissent. For example, several journalists have been arrested or harassed for their reporting, and social media posts critical of the government have been removed.
Caste Discrimination: Despite Yogi Adityanath's claims of being pro-Dalit (the lowest caste in India), his administration has been accused of perpetuating caste discrimination. For example, there have been reports of Dalits being denied access to public spaces, such as temples and water sources.
Yogi Adityanath's political career has been marked by his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization. He has been an active member of the organization since his youth, and his political ideology is heavily influenced by its principles. He has been known for his advocacy of Hindutva, an ideology that seeks to promote Hindu nationalism and assert Hindu dominance in India. This has made him a divisive figure, with some praising him as a defender of Hindu rights, while others criticize him for his exclusionary politics.
One of the most significant controversies surrounding Yogi Adityanath is his alleged involvement in the 2007 Gorakhpur riots. The riots broke out in Gorakhpur after the murder of a Hindu monk, and several people were killed and injured in the violence. Yogi Adityanath was accused of making inflammatory speeches that incited the riots, and he was briefly arrested by the police. However, he was released on bail and the case against him was later dropped due to lack of evidence. Nevertheless, the incident has continued to haunt him, with critics alleging that he has a history of promoting communal violence.
Another controversy surrounding Yogi Adityanath is his handling of the Hathras rape case. In September 2020, a Dalit woman was gang-raped in Hathras, a district in Uttar Pradesh. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests, with many criticizing the government for its slow response and for allegedly trying to cover up the crime. Yogi Adityanath was accused of insensitivity towards the victim's family, and for failing to provide them with adequate protection. The case has once again highlighted the issue of caste discrimination and violence against women in Uttar Pradesh.
Yogi Adityanath's administration has also been criticized for its handling of the migrant crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic. In March 2020, when India announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the virus, millions of migrant workers were left stranded without food, shelter, or transportation. Many of them began walking long distances to their homes in other states, leading to several deaths due to exhaustion and hunger. Yogi Adityanath's government was accused of failing to provide adequate support to the migrants, and for allowing the crisis to spiral out of control.
Yogi Adityanath's approach to education has also been controversial. He has made several changes to the education system in Uttar Pradesh, such as introducing a new policy that makes it mandatory for schools to recite the national anthem and the national song every day. He has also been accused of promoting a narrow, Hindu-centric view of history and culture, and of neglecting the needs of minority communities. Critics argue that his policies could lead to the marginalization of non-Hindu communities and the erosion of India's secular fabric.
Yogi Adityanath is a polarizing figure in Indian politics, with a controversial record as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. While he has taken some positive steps to improve law and order and promote economic development, his communal rhetoric and authoritarian tendencies have drawn criticism from many quarters. His association with the RSS and his advocacy of Hindutva have made him a divisive figure, with critics accusing him of promoting a narrow, exclusionary vision of India. It remains to be seen how his tenure as Chief Minister will shape the future of Uttar Pradesh and Indian politics as a whole.
Conclusion:
The reality of Yogi Adityanath is a complex and controversial one. While he has taken some positive steps to improve law and order and boost the economy of Uttar Pradesh, his communal rhetoric and authoritarian tendencies have drawn criticism from many quarters. His tenure has been marked by several controversial decisions and actions, which have polarized public opinion. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to address these criticisms and unite the diverse population of Uttar Pradesh under his leadership.
Sources :
1.BBC News: Yogi Adityanath: The rise of a fiery Hindu cleric - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-39367590
2.The Indian Express: Hathras gangrape case: A timeline of events in Uttar Pradesh - https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hathras-gangrape-case-a-timeline-of-events-in-uttar-pradesh-6707715/
3.The Wire: In Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh, the Migrant Crisis Became an Exodus - https://thewire.in/rights/yogi-adityanath-uttar-pradesh-migrant-crisis-exodus
4.Al Jazeera: Yogi Adityanath's education policy alarms India's minorities - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/8/8/yogi-adityanaths-education-policy-alarms-indias-minorities
5.NDTV: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Acquitted In 2007 Hate Speech Case - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-chief-minister-yogi-adityanath-acquitted-in-2007-hate-speech-case-1685571