New Delhi (July 10, 2026) – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath used a public rally in Bikapur, after laying the foundation stone for 217 development projects worth over ₹432 crore, to launch a blistering attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Indian National Congress. He claimed the two parties committed a “sin” by allowing namaz to be offered at the Hanumangarhi temple precinct, thereby insulting Hindu faith.

Re‑examining the 2003 Controversy

Yogi referred to an episode from November 2003 when the then Mulayam Singh Yadav government allegedly tried to facilitate Ramadan prayers on a road opposite the Hanumangarhi shrine. Police reportedly blocked the move, but Yogi framed the episode as a deliberate act of appeasement that the opposition now tries to hide.

Opposition’s Stance on Ayodhya’s Growth

The chief minister asserted that both SP and Congress have consistently opposed the development of Ayodhya and even attempted to derail the construction of the grand Ram Temple. He contrasted the current “double‑engine” government’s achievements – an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki, infrastructure named after revered personalities – with the opposition’s failure to deliver similar projects when in power.

Political Counter‑Narrative

BJP MP and former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Brij Lal echoed Yogi’s claims, stating that the 2003 proposal to hold namaz near Hanumangarhi was part of a broader appeasement strategy. According to Lal, senior police officials ultimately prevented the prayers from spilling onto a public road, limiting them to private premises.

Looking Ahead

Yogi concluded by urging all political actors to respect the sanctity of the Ram Temple and to support Ayodhya’s transformation as a symbol of national pride. He warned that any attempt to politicise religious sentiment would only deepen communal fissures and undermine development.