The chief minister says his government wants to make children scientists and not maulvis and mullahs
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has again harped on his favourite Islamophobic and anti-Muslim subject denigrating the entire community and accusing the opposition of continuing with its appeasement policies. In his controversial comments in the state’s Legislative Council on Tuesday, the chief minister sharply criticised opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party (SP), on the direction of education in the state.
“We want to make children scientists, not Mullahs and Maulvis,” Yogi Adityanath said casting aspersions on the quality of education imparted in madrasas and the community-run schools. He outlined his government’s plan to modernise education and equip students with the skills required for a better future. He went on to say that the government was actively working to upgrade schools, ensuring every child receives access to a higher standard of education.
Mocking traditional approaches to education, the chief minister added: “Kathmulla’s Sanskriti will not work,” drawing attention to his belief that outdated methods must be replaced with more contemporary systems to prepare children for a rapidly changing world. His words quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms.
Known for making anti Muslim and Islamophobic rhetoric, Yogi Adityanath, raked up a controversy earlier this month (February 18) criticising the Samajwadi Party for advocating the preservation and promotion of the Urdu language. Yogi accused them of wanting to make children ‘maulvis’ and promoting ‘kathmulla-pan’ (orthodoxy).
On Tuesday, the chief minister also berated the opposition for its past criticism of key government projects, such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. He recalled how these initiatives were ridiculed and opposed by the opposition, only to be accepted later. “Every major work goes through three stages — first, it is made fun of, then it is opposed, and finally, it is accepted. The same happened with the Ram Temple and the Maha Kumbh,” he said.
In further remarks, Yogi Adityanath accused the Samajwadi Party of undermining religious sentiments. He pointed to their alleged decision to appoint a non-Sanatani (non-Hindu) individual to manage the Maha Kumbh, suggesting that this reflected the opposition’s lack of respect for Hindu traditions.
While the chief minister’s comments have sparked fierce backlash from opposition parties, with many calling the remarks divisive and communal, the BJP has defended them, stating that the government is working to provide equal opportunities for all communities in Uttar Pradesh. “We respect all religions,” a BJP spokesperson said in response to the controversy.
