"Chief Minister is lying": Samajwadi MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Yogi Adityanath's "criminal" Kanwar Yatris
Jul 20, 2025
New Delhi [India], July 20 : Hitting back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's recent remarks that Kanwar yatris are often defamed and are labelled terrorists and troublemakers, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said his party has more support base among the Kanwariyas and that the chief minister was "lying".
"The Chief Minister is lying. Nobody is saying this. We have more supporters among the Kanwariyas," Ram Gopal Yadav told ANI.
On July 18, while addressing an event in Varanasi, CM Adityanath said that people from all the social and working class participate in the Kanwar yatra and said that Kanwar Yatra pilgrims go through "media trials" and even " labelled as criminals and terrorists."
"Kanwar Yatra is ongoing. People from all social classes, from the working class to the upper class, are involved in this movement. There is a strong sense of unity, and no discrimination is evident... However, there is a media trial, and the Kanwar Yatra is being defamed. They (Kanwar Yatris) are even labelled as criminals and terrorists. This reflects a mentality that seeks to tarnish India's heritage in every way", Chief Minister Adityanath had said.
The Uttar Pradesh CM further urged Kanwar yatris to expose elements masquerading as hooligans who aim to defame the holy yatra and inform the administration immediately.
Yogi Adityanath warned that strict action will be taken against miscreants who try to disrupt the peace and harmony during the yatra.
Speaking to the reporters, Yogi Adityanath said, "...A few elements are making continous attempts to harm and defame fervour and devotion. Even on social media platforms and even in person, such attempts are trying to defame Kanwar Yatra. It is also the responsibility of every Kanwar Sangh to expose all such elements masquerading as hooligans to defame this holy Yatra of Lord Shiv. Do not let them join you and inform the administration immediately. I appeal to all kanwariyas and everyone to understand others' problems too."
