'You Shot At Ram's Devotees': Yogi Adityanath Slams Akhilesh Yadav Over Ayodhya Development Promise

Published 28 June 2026 · politics

'You Shot At Ram's Devotees': Yogi Adityanath Slams Akhilesh Yadav Over Ayodhya Development Promise Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 15:46 IST CM Yogi

'You Shot At Ram's Devotees': Yogi Adityanath Slams Akhilesh Yadav Over Ayodhya Development Promise Published By, Last Updated: June 28, 2026, 15:46 IST CM Yogi criticises Akhilesh Yadav over Ayodhya development claims, touts Modi led temple projects, accuses Samajwadi Party of targeting Ram devotees and appeasement politics. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (File Photo/ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his recent promise to further develop Ayodhya if voted to power, accusing the opposition leader of trying to rewrite history despite the party’s past record on religious issues. Speaking at a public event in Hathras, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 143 development projects worth ₹548 crore, Yogi said Ayodhya has already regained global prominence under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

‘What Religious City Will You Make?’ Referring to Akhilesh Yadav’s recent statement that he would develop Ayodhya into a “peerless and inimitable sacred city" if his party returns to power, Yogi questioned the Samajwadi Party’s credentials. “I was reading a statement of the Samajwadi Party president. He said that if his government comes, he will make Ayodhya a religious city. What religious city will you make? Look at your own history," the chief minister said. Accuses SP Of Targeting Ram Devotees Yogi also accused the previous Samajwadi Party government of acting against Ram devotees. “Your government shot at Ram devotees," he alleged, adding that Ayodhya’s transformation had been made possible through the efforts of devotees and the Modi government. He claimed the opposition had earlier stopped the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami in police stations and jails and had also imposed restrictions on the Kanwar Yatra.

Temple Development Vs Graveyard Walls Highlighting his government’s development initiatives, Yogi said more than 22 temples in Hathras had been beautified. He contrasted this with the previous Samajwadi Party government, alleging that funds were earlier spent on constructing boundary walls around graveyards, while his administration had redirected those resources towards temple development. Challenge Over Mathura And Kashi The chief minister also challenged Akhilesh Yadav to openly support the development of Mathura, Vrindavan and Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi if he was serious about promoting religious heritage. Yogi said his government was working to improve facilities for devotees in Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, while accusing the opposition of lacking a development agenda and indulging in appeasement politics. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.