UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath says India not ‘dharamshala’ for those disloyal to nation; warns against love and land jihad
He also called for caution against “love jihad”, conversion conspiracies and “land jihad”.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of the nine-day Shri Ram Katha Mahotsav narrated by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya in Lucknow, Adityanath said Lord Ram’s ideals continue to unite the country from north to south and east to west.
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“Except a few who are driven by political motivations or prejudices, you cannot find any person who has the DNA of India and who has not somehow made the ideals of Lord Ram a part of his life,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that Lord Ram was a figure who could unite every Indian, regardless of region, and that was the reason why the Ram Janmabhoomi movement continued for centuries.
Adityanath said many saints made the cause of Ram Janmabhoomi a “matter of life and death” not for personal reputation but because of their commitment to preserving India’s civilizational heritage. Referring to the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, Adityanath said the Constitution bench unanimously accepted that the place where Ram Lalla is worshiped is his birthplace.
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He also praised Swami Rambhadracharya’s contribution to the cause and added that the spiritual practices of the saints were not only for individual salvation but also for the welfare of the nation and the common good.
Quoting Ramayana, Adityanath said Lord Ram acted against the forces that tried to destroy centers of learning and research.
“Demons like Tadaka tried to destroy the centers of knowledge. Lord Ram made every effort to counter them,” he said.
Talking about respecting women, Adityanath emphasized issues like conversion and interfaith relations. He said the “love jihad” was part of a larger conspiracy to change the religious demographics of the country.
“A high court had expressed concern over this issue in 2009 and 2011. It is part of a conspiracy to change religious demography. The Uttar Pradesh government enacted a law against unlawful religious conversion in 2020. Greater public awareness is still needed,” he said, adding, “We must remain alert. Negative forces emerge in every era, but the society must unite and remain prepared.”
Adityanath also opposed “land jihad” and said such activities should be opposed.
He said India cannot be a haven for those who have no loyalty to the nation.
“The land of India cannot be a dharamshala for invaders or those who have no faith, loyalty or respect for its values and traditions. Absolutely not,” he said.
Warning against those trying to divide the society based on caste, region or language, the Prime Minister appealed to the saints and constructive social forces to unite to strengthen the nation.
“Some will try to divide the society in the name of caste, some in the name of region, some in the name of language. We must understand the essence of Ram Katha and remain united,” he said.
The Prime Minister said it was not enough to just listen to religious discourses; people should imbibe the ideals of the figures they worship.
“When we worship Ram, we should make his ideals a part of our lives. We should try to live according to these ideals and inspire our family members to do the same,” he said.
