Akhilesh Yadav's proposed Ram Temple visit sparks political row; Yogi, VHP demand apology

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav's proposed visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12 has triggered a political row in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding an apology from the former chief minister over the 1990 police firing on Ram devotees and his party's past stand on the Ram Temple movement. Yadav's visit, which will be his first to the Ram Temple since its consecration in January 2024, was announced by senior SP leader and former minister Tej Narayan Pandey, popularly known as Pawan Pandey. According to Pandey, Yadav will be accompanied by his wife, Dimple Yadav, and their family.

They will first visit the Hanumangarhi temple before offering prayers at the Ram Temple. Yogi targets Akhilesh Yadav Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has questioned the SP's position on the Ram Temple movement and said those responsible for the police action against Ram devotees should apologise before visiting Ayodhya. Addressing the 10th edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya on November 7, Adityanath said those who had neglected and insulted Ayodhya, opened fire on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge should seek forgiveness from devotees and saints. "Let them come to Ayodhya, but they should seek forgiveness from Ram bhakts," he said, without naming Akhilesh Yadav directly.

The chief minister was referring to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, when Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh's father, was the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Adityanath reiterated his criticism on Sunday, saying those who had opened fire on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge should first apologise before visiting the temple. VHP demands apology from Akhilesh Attacking the Samajwadi Party by dubbing it as "Namazwadi party", the VHP on Saturday asked its chief Akhilesh Yadav to apologise for his alleged remarks against Lord Ram, the Ram temple and Hindu religious beliefs before his proposed visit to Ayodhya on December 12.

In a post on X, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said Yadav should make six commitments before visiting Ayodhya, including seeking "forgiveness" for his attacks on Lord Ram, his birthplace, the Ram temple, the Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas, Sanatan and Hindu beliefs. Congress defends Yadav's visit The Congress has defended Yadav's proposed visit, saying visiting a place of worship is a matter of personal faith and should not become a subject of political controversy. Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam said the Constitution guaranteed individuals the freedom to practise their religion and visit places of worship of their choice.

"Religion is a matter of personal faith. Whether someone wants to visit a temple, mosque, gurudwara, church, Buddhist monastery, or Jain temple is entirely their personal choice. Our Constitution gives everyone the freedom of religion and worship. So why should any political leader have a problem with that?" Gautam said. How SP has responded to criticism The Samajwadi Party has pushed back against the BJP's criticism, with Akhilesh Yadav raising questions over alleged irregularities in donations and offerings made at the Ram Temple. Responding to Yogi Adityanath's remarks on Sunday, Yadav posted on X, asking when the truth would emerge in the alleged theft of offerings, donations and gifts at the temple.

"The people of Ayodhya are asking the honourable chief minister: when will the truth come out in the case of the stolen offerings, donations and gifts? Will it ever come out at all?" Yadav wrote.