BJP spreading lies on Hanumangarhi 'namaz' to divert attention from Ram temple case: Akhilesh

Lucknow, Jul 17 (PTI) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the ruling BJP of spreading "false propaganda" with its claim of namaz having been offered on the steps of the Hanumangarhi temple to divert attention from the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. The remarks came after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently alleged that the Samajwadi Party (SP), during its tenure in office, had facilitated the "sin" of offering of namaz on the steps of Hanumangarhi temple. Sharing on X a video clip of Hanumangarhi mahant Anand Das, who reportedly disputed the chief minister's claim in an interaction with a news portal, Yadav launched a sharp attack on the BJP without naming Adityanath. "The BJP's irreligious politics of theft, loot, deceit, fraud, lies and treachery has now moved beyond Lord Ram's temple to Hanumangarhi. Those spreading false propaganda about Hanumangarhi should atone for their grave sin and admit that they are doing so to divert attention from the theft in the Ram temple. "Otherwise, they should climb the steps of Hanumangarhi on their knees and seek forgiveness from this ancient seat of faith. In pursuing narrow politics, they forget that by speaking lies they are also dishonouring the religious office they hold. If they must lie, they should do so as ordinary individuals," he said. He further asserted that using symbols of faith to deceive innocent devotees for personal gain is a "great sin". The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said when the immense spiritual power of Hanumangarhi can punish ordinary sinners, there is no need to say what fate awaits these great sinners. "No irreligious person will escape the wrath of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman," he added. Yadav said today, the entire country is witnessing that wherever the BJP and its "unregistered associates" have entrenched themselves, there is "rampant dishonesty, theft, embezzlement and loot". "This is only the first layer to be exposed; wait and see what comes next," he added. In another post, the central lawmaker expressed support for Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotirmath, who had also questioned the chief minister's remarks. "We support the revered Shankaracharya's statement 100 per cent. The irreligious BJP leaders and their associates first looted and ruined Ayodhya, and are now defaming it by spreading lies. This has deeply hurt and angered the saints and seers of Ayodhya," he said. People of Ayodhya feel these "great sinners in the BJP are settling scores with the city's honour" for reasons known only to them, Yadav claimed. "Every devotee should now say: Never again should there be the BJP," he said. The SP chief also shared a video clip of the seer speaking to reporters, who alleged that the "controversy" over Hanumangarhi was "being raised to deflect attention" from the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple. The alleged theft of Ram temple donations in June has led to the arrest of eight accused, the resignation of two trust functionaries and an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The controversy has also triggered a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the opposition in Uttar Pradesh. PTI KIS PRK