Taking aim at opposition parties on issues of faith and cultural heritage, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday alleged that those who once ordered police action against Ram devotees and questioned the existence of God were now trying to advocate religious sentiments after losing political ground.
He used the famous ‘Rampuri knife’ to criticize the Samajwadi Party (SP) and alleged that the iconic knife was misused by the previous government to “grab people’s land”, but now it is a symbol of security and development under the BJP government.
Adityanath also criticized the Congress and said the party had once questioned the existence of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna but was now demanding to go to Ayodhya while declaring that “Ram belongs to everyone”. Comparing such leaders to the legendary fraudster Kalanemi, the CM said that the public has completely understood their hypocrisy and political opportunism.
Accusing the Congress and Samajwadi Party of being hypocritical for their “new” support for Lord Ram, the CM said those who once opposed the Ram temple movement are now claiming to support the issue.
Addressed a public meeting after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 102 development projects worth more than Rs. ₹The Chief Minister said that the Rs 700 crore scam in Milak and Bilaspur assembly constituencies of Rampur district has now made people recognize the “lies and double standards” of such political forces.
He presented awards and certificates to the meritorious students who performed excellently in the high school and intermediate examinations of the year 2026, laptops to the beneficiaries of the Chief Minister Child Welfare Scheme, checks to the beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Scheme, financial assistance to the eligible families under the Chief Minister Farmer Accident Welfare Scheme and honored businessmen for their special contribution in social development.
Adityanath said that before 2017, political parties attempted to stop the Kanwar Yatra, banned Hindu festivals and resorted to lathicharge and police firing against those chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. Today, the same parties, realizing the decline in their political influence, are portraying themselves as protectors of faith.
He said it was the strength of Ram devotees and their electoral support that had forced the Samajwadi Party and the Congress to change their political posture.
He said, “He may now regret his past actions, but Lord Ram is the supreme ruler of the universe. He knows who is right and who is wrong.”
According to Adityanath, the opposition is uncomfortable with the changes in major pilgrimage sites including Ayodhya Dham, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Maa Vindhyavasini Dham, Mathura-Vrindavan, Prayagraj Dham, Naimisharanya and Shukratirtha. He alleged that since they could not stop these projects, they have resorted to misleading the public through false stories.
CM described the previous Congress and SP governments as symbols of injustice and anarchy.
He alleged that during the SP government before 2017, the land of poor families and people of Valmiki community in Rampur was forcibly taken over and their voice was suppressed. He claimed that development remained limited to two political families associated with Saifai and Rampur, while the rest of the state was neglected.
He also criticized the power distribution policy of the previous government and alleged that power was supplied selectively, benefiting Saifai while districts like Pilibhit and Rampur faced power shortage.
In contrast, he said the current “double engine government” ensures equal development in all 75 districts without any discrimination. Schools, degree colleges, polytechnics and ITIs have been established wherever needed and now no one can hinder development, jeopardize the future of youth or insult women, he said.
Adityanath alleged that rampant corruption during the SP government had driven industries out of business and pushed farmers to despair and even suicide. He claimed that earlier there were no meaningful welfare schemes for the poor or adequate funds for development work, while the future of the youth was compromised.
The CM further alleged that whenever government recruitment advertisements were released, the “uncle-nephew duo” would start extortion, forcing the courts to intervene and stop the recruitment processes.
According to him, these policies were responsible for Uttar Pradesh getting the tag of BIMARU (economically backward) state.
Highlighting the religious importance of Rampur, the CM said the district is blessed with holy sites including Lord Bameshwar Mahadev, Shri Pataleshwar Mahadev, Om Nageshwar Mahadev, Kosi Temple and Maa Bala Sundari.
He said that the state government is committed to the restoration and preservation of these ancient spiritual centres.
Adityanath compared the current situation with the period before 2017, claiming that festivals were then disrupted due to violence and restrictions, while now Kanwar Yatra, Durga Puja, Diwali, Ram Navami and Janmashtami are celebrated peacefully and on a large scale.
He also said that Ayodhya has been transformed through broad-gauge double railway lines, four-lane highways and the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, bringing back memories of the Treta era.
The CM said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh is no longer a BIMARU state, but has emerged as one of the top three economies of India and one of the fastest growing economies of the country.
He said the state is now a leader in employment generation, farmer welfare and is one of the top producers of food grains, milk, sugar and ethanol.
Referring to the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative, Adityanath said traditional industries in Rampur – including patchwork, zari work, violin making and mentha production – have gained international recognition while creating new employment opportunities for the youth.
The CM announced that the proposed Gorakhpur-Shamli Economic Corridor will pass through Rampur, connecting Gorakhpur to Siliguri and Shamli to Panipat, thereby boosting regional economic development.
He said currently three meter wide roads are being expanded to seven metres, 10 meters and, in many cases, converted into four-lane roads.
Adityanath also announced the revival and expansion of Rudravilas sugar mill in Bilaspur, saying financial assistance would be released as soon as the survey report is received.
Reiterating the government’s commitment towards inclusive development, the Chief Minister said that the double engine government believes in public satisfaction rather than appeasement politics.
He said that the state has provided ₹Insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh to 9.6 million MSME units while the Public Distribution System is being monitored directly from Lucknow through e-POS machines to ensure that beneficiaries get their full ration every month.
According to him, LPG cylinder, which was once considered a luxury before 2017, is now available in every poor household. Beneficiaries have received health insurance value under Ayushman Bharat Scheme ₹Whereas people without cards are being provided treatment worth Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He said that the government is setting up fire stations in every tehsil and upgrading schools under Operation Kayakalp and Project Alankar.
Concluding his address, the CM said that the government is committed to preserving cultural heritage and creating employment opportunities for the youth.
He expressed satisfaction after seeing the names of the youth of Rampur among those who got government appointment letters and said that the youth of Rampur, Milak, Bilaspur, Swar and Chamraua assembly constituencies are now getting opportunities in government services and industries.
‘No society can move forward without respecting its heritage’
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday stressed the importance of cultural preservation, saying no society can move forward without respecting its heritage, traditions and great personalities. He remarked that those who ignore their ancestors and cultural heritage ultimately pave the way for their own downfall.
He was addressing a gathering in Bareilly after unveiling the statue of famous Ram Katha exponent Pandit Radheshyam Kathavachak and inaugurating a smart building named in his honour.
The Chief Minister underlined the importance of preserving India’s cultural heritage and cited the example of Lord Ram and Ravana to emphasize the consequences of devotion and enmity.
Adityanath said those who accept the path of Lord Ram are blessed while those who choose enmity with him are doomed to destruction. Referring to Treta Yuga, he described Ravana as the greatest example of how opposing Lord Rama ultimately leads to destruction.
He appreciated Pandit Radheshyam narrator for conveying the story of Lord Ram to the common people through simple and relevant language. Comparing him with Goswami Tulsidas, he said that just as Ramcharitmanas guided the society for centuries, Pandit Radheshyam used Ram Katha as a medium to spread awareness and moral values in his time.
CM said that he has seen and heard Ramlila presentations and Ram Katha stories of Pandit Radheshyam in his childhood. He described the unveiling of the statue as an emotional and proud moment for him and said it brought back memories of those protests.
He also announced that the UP government will provide all possible assistance to preserve the storyteller’s legacy. He said the government will work towards developing the storyteller’s ancestral mansion as a museum, so that future generations can know about his literary works and cultural contributions.
