Almost five years later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the graveyard (burial ground) and crematorium (crematorium) than accusing the then. Samajwadi Party The government of religious discrimination in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday raised the issue again while highlighting the achievements of his government. He said his government was using government funds for redevelopment and beautification of temples, unlike the previous government, which had spent public money only on building boundary walls around graveyards.
Addressing a gathering including saints and their cabinet colleagues in Ayodhya on the occasion of Deepotsav, the Chief Minister said, “Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a change. Earlier the state money was spent on the boundary of the graveyard, today it is spent on the redevelopment and beautification of the temples.
“That’s the difference of opinion,” he said. He said, ‘Those who were worried about Kabirstan, they spent public money for that work. Those who are concerned for religion and culture are using money for the upliftment and progress of religion and culture. “
Adityanath’s remarks assume significance as it is for the assembly elections in the state to be held early next year.
The issue was first raised by Prime Minister Modi during an election campaign rally in Fatehpur on February 19, 2017. Accusing the Samajwadi Party government of discrimination, he had said, “If a village gets a graveyard, it should also get a cremation ground. If there is electricity in Ramadan, then there should be electricity in Diwali also. If there is electricity in Holi, then there should be electricity on Eid also. There should be no discrimination.”
Adityanath said on Wednesday that apart from the development of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the central and state governments have worked on more than 500 temples and religious places in Uttar Pradesh. He said that there is no obstacle in the way of construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Praising the Prime Minister, he said that no power in the world can stop its construction.
The Chief Minister said that 31 years ago on October 30 and November 2, the devotees of Lord Ram were fired upon and lathi-charge was ordered. “Chanting Jai Shri Ram and talking about Ram Mandir were crimes then. But because of the power of democracy, those who opened fire on Ram devotees 31 years ago have bowed down to your strength,” Adityanath said. “It now appears that if you continue with the same strength for a few more years, they and their families will be in line for the next car service.”
On the occasion of Deepotsav, 9 lakh earthen lamps were lit at Ram ki Paidi and 3 lakh more were lit in monasteries and temples across Ayodhya. The event entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest display of oil lamps.
.