What about Waqf land? CM Yogi hits back at SP, Congress on Ram Temple theft criticism

Published 7 July 2026 · politics

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit back at the Samajwadi Party and Congress over their criticism of the theft of Ram Temple

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit back at the Samajwadi Party and Congress over their criticism of the theft of Ram Temple donations, asking why the opposition remained silent on what he described as large-scale encroachment of land by Waqf bodies. Addressing a public gathering in Pratapgarh, Adityanath accused opposition parties of selectively targeting Hindu religious institutions while ignoring other issues. Read Full Story "What about the land that has been taken over by Waqf?" the Chief Minister asked, in an apparent response to opposition attacks over allegations related to the theft of donations offered at the Ram Temple. Escalating his attack, Adityanath said the Congress and the Samajwadi Party had little to offer beyond "dividing society in the name of caste and attacking faith".

"Look at the kind of issues they bring up. Today, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are left with only two issues — creating divisions in the name of caste and attacking people's faith," he said. The Chief Minister also questioned the opposition's criticism of developments related to Ayodhya and the Ram Temple. "The Congress once claimed that Lord Ram and Lord Krishna never existed. In Ayodhya, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party supported the Babri structure and shed crocodile tears over it. Now, like chameleons changing colours, they are saying that faith is being tampered with," he said. Taking a direct swipe at the opposition, Adityanath questioned its right to speak on matters concerning Ayodhya and the Ram Temple.

"Since when did Ayodhya become a matter of faith for you? If Ram devotees say their faith is linked to Ayodhya, they have every right to say so. But the Congress has no right to say this," he said. "The party that denied the existence of Lord Ram, and the Samajwadi Party that fired bullets at Ram devotees — what faith are they talking about?" he added. The Chief Minister further accused previous governments of neglecting Hindu religious sites while favouring other projects. "Those who spent money meant for the restoration of Hindu religious heritage sites and places of worship on building boundary walls around graveyards — what faith are they talking about?" he said. "These are the questions you should be asking the Congress and the Samajwadi Party." The remarks come amid a political slugfest over allegations surrounding the theft of donations offered at the Ram Temple, an issue that has provided fresh ammunition to opposition parties to target the BJP government and the temple trust.