Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 20 July launched a sharp attack on the Opposition — particularly the Indian National Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) — accusing both parties of practising appeasement politics and favouring one community over others during their tenures. Speaking at the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony of 82 development projects worth over ₹542 crore in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath called for discarding what he termed 'fake' secularism and building a stronger nation on the foundation of Sanatan Dharma.

Key Remarks at the Barabanki Event

Addressing a public gathering, CM Yogi said, 'During the SP-Congress era, constructing a boundary wall around the cemetery and imposing a ban on Kanwar Yatra, Ramnavami processions, and Janmashtami celebrations were the benchmarks of secularism.' He asserted it was time to uproot such politics and move towards a secure Bharat grounded in Sanatan values.

Adityanath further claimed that under previous governments, public funds were channelled into graveyard boundary walls while religious and cultural heritage sites — including Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Mahadeva, Gola Gokarnnath, and sites linked to Maharaja Suheldev and Bijli Pasi — were starved of development funds.

Barabanki's Heritage at the Centre

Barabanki carries distinct historical weight — home to Lord Lodheshwar Mahadev, the ancient Parijat tree, and the legacy of Olympian hockey legend K.D. Singh 'Babu'. The Chief Minister noted that these heritages were neglected for decades after independence.

Adityanath claimed his government redirected funds previously earmarked for graveyard walls toward the construction of a grand corridor for the Lord Lodheshwar Mahadev Temple, projecting it as a boost to religious tourism in the region. He also said that the SP government had allowed the situation to deteriorate to a point where the mansion of hockey legend K.D. Singh 'Babu' was on the verge of being sold, and that his administration stepped in to preserve it.

The Sanatan Dharma Argument

Underlining his ideological position, Adityanath said, 'India's bright future rests on the strong foundation of Sanatan. If Sanatan remains secure, the country remains secure. If Sanatan faces a threat, no one will remain safe.' He also asserted that his government has ensured all festivals are celebrated with dignity and security across the state.

Political Context

The remarks come ahead of the politically sensitive build-up to the Uttar Pradesh electoral cycle and reflect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s consistent framing of cultural nationalism against Opposition governance. Critics from the Congress and SP have previously rejected such characterisations as divisive, though neither party had issued an immediate response to Sunday's address at the time of reporting. This is not the first time Adityanath has used a development event as a platform for ideological messaging — a pattern that has defined his public communication since assuming office in 2017.