Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s statement during the ongoing general elections sparks controversy
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent statement about rechristening a city in the state has stirred up a new debate. Addressing an election rally recently in Firozabad, Adityanath hinted at the possibility of renaming a city, citing discomfort with its current name.
“The name of the city is such that one has to think even while speaking. Mentioning its name spoils the taste of the mouth. Rest assured, this will change over time,” the chief minister said. Though Adityanath did not explicitly mention the name of the city, speculations arose, especially among the residents of Firozabad, that the chief minister was referring to their city.
Adityanath’s statement comes amidst a series of controversial remarks by him throughout the election campaign. Just a couple of days earlier, he compared a Congress “proposal” to the jizya tax imposed on Hindus during Aurangzeb’s rule, stirring considerable backlash. He also accused the Congress of promoting cow slaughter, intensifying the political discourse in the region.
During his visit to Firozabad, the chief minister also conducted a road show in Mainpuri, supporting BJP candidate Rajveer Singh. Addressing a public gathering, he criticised the Congress manifesto, alleging that it advocated giving minorities the freedom to consume the meat of their choice.
In a press note issued in Lucknow, the chief minister was quoted as saying: “Most Indians refrain from consuming beef, but certain elements intentionally promote cow slaughter to torment them.” He further lambasted the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance for suggesting an inheritance tax, likening it to the imposition of jizya tax on Hindus during the Mughal era.
Adityanath’s remarks have sparked heated debates across the political spectrum, with critics questioning the intention behind such statements during the ongoing elections. These contentious remarks continue to dominate headlines, shaping the discourse leading up to the remaining phases of the polls.
