Apologise to saints, devotees before visiting Ayodhya: Adityanath ahead of Akhilesh’s visit
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has demanded that political opponents, specifically referencing Akhilesh Yadav, apologize to saints and devotees before visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The remarks were made during a religious event and highlight ongoing political friction regarding the temple's history.
Why it matters
The statement underscores the intersection of religious identity and political rhetoric in Indian governance, particularly regarding the sensitive history of the Ayodhya site.
Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday (November 7, 2026) that "those who fired on Ram devotees, subjected saints to lathicharge" should only visit the Ram Temple after apologising to the devotees and saints. The Chief Minister's remark came within hours of the announcement that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12. "Those who had neglected and insulted [Ayodhya], who opened fire on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge, should certainly come to Ayodhya, but only after apologising. Let them apologise once to Ram devotees and once to the saints. Let them repent for their actions," Mr. Adityanath said, while addressing the 10th edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Governor Anandiben Patel, among others, attended the event. While he made the allegations, Mr. Adityanath did not name the SP or its chief.
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