Pilibhit (UP), Nov 3 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday called “aasthaa” (faith in Gods) the thread binding India together and the country’s greatest strength.
Speaking at the Shri Ram Katha Mahotsav organised in Niranpur village here in memory of late Mahant Yogi Shantinath, Adityanath said, “There are around 200 countries in the world. Each has its own identity, challenges, problems, and achievements. Some countries have populations in lakhs, some in crores. Only India and China have populations exceeding 50 crore. Although Europe may appear as a single entity, it is not; it is a collection of different countries. While they are connected, they remain separate political units.”
The chief minister said despite variations in appearance, complexion, dialects, and languages from North to South and from East to West, India presents itself in a single posture, bound by a thread of unity. The factor behind that thread of unity is our “aasthaa” (faith in Gods). “It is due to this ‘aasthaa’ that we have assembled here. It is India’s biggest strength,” he said.
Adityanath said whenever there is an auspicious occasion or the commencement of an auspicious activity, followers of the Sanatan Dharma organise the recitation of the ‘Akhand Ramayan’ (the continuous, uninterrupted reading of the Ramayan) in their homes. “This is our tradition; by engaging with it, we carry it forward, and it has become an integral part of our lives,” he said.
“And this very faith served as a constant reminder to every Indian, even as they performed the ‘Akhand Ramayan’ dedicated to Lord Shri Ram, that his birthplace remained shackled in servitude (‘ghulami’). For 500 years, without halting or moving, this faith persisted, fought on, and moved forward undeterred. Eventually, when all of India rose as one, speaking with a single voice, the path towards the Ram Temple in Ayodhya paved itself,” the chief minister said.
He said on November 2, 1990, bullets were fired at Ram bhakts (devotees of Lord Ram), who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of Ram Janmabhoomi.
Adityanath said there was a time when chanting “Jai Shri Ram” was prohibited in Ayodhya, and devotees of Lord Ram were barred from entering the city. Back then, Ayodhya lacked basic amenities. He said narrow lanes, dirt and filth, and an atmosphere of anarchy characterised it.
“Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya (from Lanka) in the Pushpak Vimaan, yet modern-day Ayodhya had never been connected by air service. It had only a single railway line and potholed roads,” he said.
Recalling his visit to Ayodhya on Monday, Adityanath said when he visited for a meeting on the ‘Deepotsav’, at least 1,00,000 devotees arrived to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi.
“During (specific) seasons, festivals, and auspicious occasions, this number can reach anywhere from 5 lakh to 50 lakh. Today, Ayodhya has an abundance of amenities. Previous governments only created problems, but when a government of ‘Ram bhakts’ (devotees of Lord Ram) came to power, it ensured that proper facilities were provided for the devotees,” the chief minister said.
Adityanath said negativity gives rise to chaos, destruction, disorder, unrest, and discontent. “Conversely, positivity brings with it devotion, faith, and light. This positive spirit paves the way for development and prosperity, and brings well-being into people’s lives,” he said.
The chief minister said appeasement leads to chaos.
“Whenever the nation has followed the path of appeasement, it has seen a rise in terrorism, extremism, and Naxalism. Conversely, by focusing on satisfying all citizens (‘santushtikaran’) and ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach every individual without discrimination, the country has progressed. This very feeling is now serving as the cornerstone for an ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’,” he said.
Adityanath said India is currently advancing in a new form. “Funds that were squandered elsewhere before 2017 are now being utilised for the development of temples and religious sites, as well as for welfare schemes for the poor,” he said.
The chief minister said in the past, people struggled for basic amenities such as rations, electricity, quality roads, and security; furthermore, public events were often marred by disturbances and riots. “Today, the state is free from curfews, riots, and chaos. The poor now receive free rations and health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Youth are finding employment, farmers are benefiting from the ‘Kisan Samman Nidhi’, and both women and traders are provided with security,” he said.
The chief minister emphasised that this embodies the concept of ‘Ramrajya’, where the benefits of government schemes reach every segment of society without any discrimination. He said alongside Ayodhya, places like Kashi, Mathura-Vrindavan, and other religious sites across the state are witnessing unprecedented development.
“At the Kashi Vishwanath Dhaam, where previously not even 10 devotees could offer prayers at a time, today 50,000 devotees can do so. Mathura-Vrindavan is being beautifully transformed, and facilities have been expanded at the Maa Vindhyavasini Dham. A corridor is being constructed at Gola Gokarnanath in Lakhimpur Kheri, and Bareilly is reclaiming its identity as ‘Nath Nagri’ (the city of the ‘Naths’). This is an innovative journey of development, one that begins with faith,” he said.
(PTI News)
