Yogi Adityanath's 'graveyard' remark draws sharp Opposition fire in UP
Synopsis
Yogi Adityanath's 'graveyard' jibe at the SP and Congress in Banda has reignited the temple-versus-graveyard political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh — but the Opposition is firing back on two fronts: communal polarisation and unanswered questions about the Ram Temple Trust's SIT probe. The BJP's most symbolic project has become its most politically exposed one.
Key Takeaways
UP CM Yogi Adityanath alleged at a Banda rally on 9 July that SP governments diverted temple funds to graveyard boundary walls.
SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei alleged corruption by the BJP and questioned why an FIR has not been filed against senior officials in the Ram Temple SIT probe.
CPI-M General Secretary M.A.
Baby accused Adityanath of practicing 'bulldozer politics' and attempting to divide people on communal lines.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Mishra defended the CM, saying the government had constituted an SIT, made arrests, and accepted Trust resignations.
The row erupts amid an active SIT investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Temple Trust .
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath triggered a sharp political row on Thursday, 9 July after he accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress of harbouring a preference for graveyards over temples, drawing swift condemnation from Opposition leaders across party lines. The remarks were made at a public gathering in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh.
What Yogi Adityanath Said
Addressing the Banda rally, CM Adityanath alleged that funds his government directs toward temple development and religious shrine beautification were, during the SP's tenure, diverted to the construction of graveyard boundary walls. 'They (Congress and SP) have made criticising Hindu traditions and Sanatana Dharma the sole purpose of their lives. They do not want to see a glorious and developed India,' he said.
He went further, claiming that the Opposition's opposition to projects such as the Ram Temple, Kashi Vishwanath, Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, Chitrakoot, and Naimisharanya Dham stemmed from this alleged fondness. 'The Samajwadi Party and Congress cannot digest the developmental work carried out by BJP representatives,' he added.
Samajwadi Party Hits Back
SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei offered a pointed rebuttal, alleging financial irregularities on the part of the ruling party. 'Had we given the money meant for graveyards, that money would have been used for corruption. Those people who didn't even leave donations made at the Ram Temple... they (BJP) have also laid their eyes on temples in foreign countries,' he said.
Jamei also raised questions about the pace of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged irregularities at the Ram Temple, asking why an FIR had not been lodged against senior officials. He alleged that CM Adityanath was reluctant to name senior RSS leaders in the FIR.
CPI-M and Other Opposition Voices
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary M.A. Baby accused the Chief Minister of attempting to engineer communal divisions. 'He (Yogi) practices bulldozer politics. We criticise this. What he is doing is not right,' Baby said. His remarks reflect a broader Opposition charge that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses religious rhetoric to polarise voters ahead of electoral cycles.
BJP Defends the Remarks
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Mishra backed CM Adityanath's position, arguing that the Opposition had manufactured controversy over the Ram Temple irregularities. 'Whatever Yogi ji said is correct. They (Opposition) have created a fuss out of whatever irregularities took place at the Ram Temple... whether it is (SP chief) Akhilesh Yadav or Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh. They have all made a joke out of it,' he said.
Mishra added that the government had acted responsibly — constituting an SIT, making arrests, accepting Trust official resignations, and taking cognisance of the matter — and that the Opposition's continued agitation was politically motivated.
The Broader Context
The exchange comes amid an ongoing SIT investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Ram Temple Trust, which has already led to arrests and resignations of Trust officials. Critics argue that the controversy has handed the Opposition a rare opening to question the BJP's stewardship of one of its most politically symbolic projects. Notably, the 'graveyard versus temple' framing is not new to UP politics — similar rhetoric has surfaced in previous state election campaigns, suggesting a deliberate electoral calculus ahead of future polls.
Point of View
But its deployment this time carries an unusual liability: the Ram Temple Trust's own financial irregularities are under SIT scrutiny. By making temple development the centrepiece of his attack, Adityanath has inadvertently kept that investigation in the news cycle. The Opposition's counter — why no FIR against senior officials — is the sharper question, and one the BJP has not answered cleanly. Communal rhetoric may energise the base, but it also risks amplifying the very controversy the party would prefer to contain.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Yogi Adityanath say in his 'graveyard' remark?
At a public rally in Banda district on 9 July, UP CM Yogi Adityanath alleged that the SP government had diverted funds meant for temple development to the construction of graveyard boundary walls. He also accused the SP and Congress of opposing key religious projects such as the Ram Temple and Kashi Vishwanath corridor.
How did the Samajwadi Party respond to Yogi Adityanath's remarks?
SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei rejected the charge and alleged that BJP leaders had themselves misappropriated funds, including donations made to the Ram Temple. He also questioned why the SIT probing Ram Temple Trust irregularities had not yet filed an FIR against senior officials.
What is the Ram Temple Trust SIT probe about?
An SIT has been constituted to investigate alleged financial irregularities within the Ram Temple Trust. The probe has led to arrests and resignations of Trust officials, though Opposition leaders allege that senior figures have not yet been named in any FIR.
What did CPI-M say about Yogi Adityanath's speech?
CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby accused CM Adityanath of attempting to create communal divisions and described his approach as 'bulldozer politics.' He stated that what the Chief Minister was doing was 'not right.'
Did the BJP defend Yogi Adityanath's remarks?
Yes. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Mishra said the CM's remarks were correct and accused the Opposition — including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, and Sanjay Singh — of making a political issue out of the Ram Temple irregularities despite the government having taken concrete action through the SIT.
