Gorakhpur (UP), Oct 20 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said those seeking to divide society along caste, regional and linguistic lines are weakening India, and said people must unite to protect the country’s cultural heritage, religious traditions and national integrity.
Addressing devotees at the Ramlila Ground here after performing religious rituals and aarti of Lord Ram, Mata Janaki, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman on Vijayadashami, Adityanath said those attempting to undermine social unity were following the path of Ravan, the demon king whose defeat by Lord Ram is celebrated during the festival.
“Those who seek to divide society are inspired by Ravan. Ravan, too, used to undermine unity. Those who want to weaken the nation by dividing society in the name of caste, region and language are, in fact, driven by the spirit of Ravan,” he said.
The chief minister said that a weak India had historically been unable to protect its religious places and the dignity of women.
“When India is weak, the Ram temple and Ram Janmabhoomi are humiliated, the Krishna Janmabhoomi is humiliated, the Kashi Vishwanath temple is undermined, and the Somnath temple is demolished and looted,” he said, also referring to historical instances of exploitation and trafficking of women.
A strong India could restore its cultural and religious heritage, Adityanath said, citing the construction of Ram temple as an example.
“When India is strong and receives a leadership such as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it becomes capable of restoring the dignity lost 500 years ago, and building a grand Ram temple at Lord Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya,” he said.
The chief minister alleged that those opposed to India’s strength were uncomfortable with the Ram temple construction and the grand Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.
In an apparent swipe at opposition parties, he said, “Those who want to weaken India cannot accept these developments. They are continuously trying to spread misinformation and create confusion among people.”
He also criticised those who opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the past but were now invoking Lord Ram.
Adityanath further alleged that those spreading misinformation about India and Ayodhya included forces operating within the country as well as those from abroad.
Calling for greater social solidarity, he urged people across Uttar Pradesh to remain united in defence of the country’s unity, cultural traditions and religious heritage.
Adityanath said, “Until Sanatan is secure, no one is secure. If anyone is under a misconception about this, they can look around the world. Muslims are fighting among themselves; there are disputes between Shias and Sunnis. Communists are fighting Communists. Christians are fighting Christians, and where they are not fighting among themselves, Islam is in conflict with Christianity, and Communism is opposed to Christianity. And Communists are also fighting everyone else. Conflict is continuing among them. India alone stands firmly.”
Adityanath asserted that India, drawing upon its Sanatan traditions, provided security and opportunities for prosperity to people of different castes, communities, faiths and religious traditions.
He emphasised that the safety of individuals, communities and religion was linked to the country’s security.
“Yaad karna hoga, desh hai to dharma hai” (We must remember that if there is nation, there is religion), Adityanath said.
“If there is religion, then all of us exist as well. No individual, society or caste can remain secure unless India is secure,” he added.
The chief minister said around 45,000 Durga Puja events were being organised across Uttar Pradesh, while a comparable number of Ramlila performances were also taking place.
He urged people to look beyond the traditional burning of Ravan effigies and reflect on the social evils symbolised by the demon king’s ten heads, identifying these as unrighteousness, falsehood, injustice, oppression, indiscipline, corruption, misconduct, confusion, misinformation and addiction.
“If we want to pave the way for Ram Rajya, we must firmly oppose these ten negative tendencies that obstruct social development and national unity,” he said.
The chief minister said the festival offered an opportunity to reaffirm the values of righteousness, discipline and justice, adding that violations of moral boundaries had consequences, as illustrated by the stories of Ravan and Bali in the Ramayana.
He appealed to people to stand together against misinformation and attempts to create divisions in society, emphasising that unity was essential to protect social harmony, religious traditions and the country’s unity and integrity.
(PTI News)
