Ayodhya seers rally behind Yogi's 'namaz at Hanuman Garhi' claim, target SP
Synopsis
Ayodhya's most prominent seers have closed ranks behind UP CM Yogi Adityanath after he accused previous SP governments of permitting namaz at Hanuman Garhi — one of Hinduism's most sensitive shrines. The episode is less a theological dispute than a calculated political reset, with BJP framing the 2013-era SP record as a live electoral liability ahead of UP's next cycle.
Key Takeaways
UP CM Yogi Adityanath alleged at an Ayodhya rally that previous governments allowed 'namaz' to be offered at the Hanuman Garhi temple.
Multiple senior seers — including Jagadguru Paramhans Das , Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj , and Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das ji Maharaj — publicly backed the CM's remarks.
Seers accused the Samajwadi Party of 'hurting the sentiments' of Sanatan Dharma followers and spreading 'communal hatred.' Paramhans Das referenced the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and the Supreme Court's criticism of the then-SP government over relief distribution.
Mahant Deveshacharya questioned SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's religious credentials, noting he had not visited the Ram Temple since its consecration.
Senior saints and religious leaders in Ayodhya on 10 July came out in strong support of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he accused previous state governments of permitting 'namaz' to be offered at the Hanuman Garhi temple, one of Ayodhya's most revered shrines. The seers directed sharp criticism at the Samajwadi Party (SP), alleging the party had repeatedly acted against the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma.
What CM Yogi Said
Speaking at a rally in the temple town, Chief Minister Adityanath invoked the Hanuman Garhi episode to challenge the SP's religious credentials. 'Those who talk about faith today even had namaz offered at our sacred Hanuman Garhi. Just think about it. Imagine this: Could anyone ever recite the Hanuman Chalisa inside the Jama Masjid? Could any government, the Samajwadi Party, or the Congress make that happen? If not, then why was the sin of having namaz offered on the steps of Hanuman Garhi allowed?' he said.
The remarks have reignited a long-running political dispute over the management of religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) framing the issue as one of cultural and religious protection.
Seers Back the Chief Minister
Jagadguru Paramhans Das, Peethadheeshwar of Tapasvi Chhawani, urged all followers of Sanatan Dharma to heed the Chief Minister's words. 'It was the Samajwadi Party leaders who had namaz offered at Hanuman Garhi. Under the Chief Minister's leadership, Ram Rajya has been established. Anyone who does wrong is being investigated, and those found guilty are being punished,' he said, also referencing the ongoing probe into the Ram Temple donation theft case.
Paramhans Das further invoked the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, during which the Supreme Court had criticised the then-SP government for allegedly favouring one community in relief and rehabilitation efforts, to underscore what he described as the party's partisan record.
Hanuman Garhi Mahant Joins the Chorus
Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj of Siddh Peeth Hanuman Garhi accused SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of 'hurting the sentiments of those who follow Sanatan Dharma.' He questioned Yadav's standing on matters of faith, noting that the SP leader had neither visited the Ram Temple nor permitted party members to do so. 'The person who has not yet sought blessings at the Ram Temple and neither allowed any of his party member to do so and is instead ready to attend any Iftaar party, what right do such people have to speak about Lord Ram?' he said. He alleged that the SP sought to 'spread communal hatred in the state and divide the Hindus.'
Other Religious Voices
Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das ji Maharaj said the Chief Minister had 'exposed Samajwadi Party's double standards,' alleging that SP leaders had 'constantly conspired against Sanatan Dharma' and 'got bullets fired at Ram bhakts.' He described SP members as incapable of being genuine Ram devotees, calling them 'Kaalnemi' — a reference to a villain from Hindu scripture.
Mahant Sitaram Das of Saket Bhavan Temple described the alleged offering of namaz on the steps of Hanuman Garhi during the SP government as 'a matter of shame for Hindus and followers of Sanatan Dharma.'
Political Backdrop
This comes amid heightened political temperature in Uttar Pradesh ahead of local body elections, with the BJP and SP trading accusations over religious appeasement. The SP has not issued a formal response to the specific allegations made at the Ayodhya rally as of the time of reporting. The controversy underscores the continuing centrality of religious identity in Uttar Pradesh's electoral politics, a pattern that has defined the state's competitive landscape since at least 2017.
Point of View
And the speed with which Ayodhya's seer community amplified it suggests prior coordination. The SP's silence is itself telling: any rebuttal risks being cast as a defence of the alleged incident, while any concession legitimises the BJP's framing. What mainstream coverage misses is that the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots reference — invoked by Paramhans Das — is doing double duty, linking the namaz allegation to a broader, court-criticised record of communal mismanagement. The BJP is not merely fighting the last battle; it is pre-emptively defining the terms of the next one.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Yogi Adityanath say about Hanuman Garhi?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged at a rally in Ayodhya that previous state governments — specifically the Samajwadi Party — had allowed namaz to be offered on the steps of the Hanuman Garhi temple. He framed the allegation as evidence of what he called an affront to Sanatan Dharma, contrasting it with his own government's record.
Why are Ayodhya seers supporting Yogi Adityanath's remark?
Several prominent religious leaders, including Jagadguru Paramhans Das and Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj, say the CM's statement reflects a legitimate grievance about the treatment of Hindu sacred spaces under earlier governments. They have used the occasion to accuse the SP of consistently undermining Sanatan Dharma and to contrast that record with what they describe as 'Ram Rajya' under the current administration.
What is the Samajwadi Party's position on these allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the Samajwadi Party had not issued a formal response to the specific allegations made at the Ayodhya rally. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has not publicly commented on the Hanuman Garhi claim.
What is the significance of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots reference?
Jagadguru Paramhans Das invoked the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots — during which the Supreme Court criticised the then-SP government for allegedly favouring the Muslim community in relief and rehabilitation — to reinforce the argument that the SP has a pattern of prioritising one community over another. The reference connects the current Hanuman Garhi controversy to a broader, court-documented record.
Who is Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj?
Mahant Deveshacharya ji Maharaj is the head of Siddh Peeth Hanuman Garhi, the very temple at the centre of the controversy. His backing of CM Yogi's remarks carries particular weight given his direct custodianship of the shrine.
