‘Diyas Lit Where Bullets Were Fired’: Yogi Adityanath Targets SP, Congress at Deepotsav

In a speech that blended deep religious symbolism with sharp political rhetoric, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath used the grand stage of Ayodhya's Deepotsav to launch a fierce attack on the Samajwadi Party and the Congress. Speaking at Ram Katha Park on Sunday, the Chief Minister framed the current celebrations as a triumphant reversal of a painful past, declaring that "now diyas are being lit where bullets were once fired."

What Was the Core of the Political Attack?

The Chief Minister’s criticism focused squarely on the historical stance of the opposition parties during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He accused the Congress of having claimed that "Ram is a myth," and alleged that the Samajwadi Party "fired bullets at Ram devotees." This was a direct reference to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks in Ayodhya under the then-government of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Adityanath presented the BJP's governance as a corrective, stating, "They fired gunshots but we lit diyas," and highlighting the renaming of the district from Faizabad to Ayodhya Dham.

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How Was the Religious Ceremony Conducted?

The political address came after a grand religious ceremony featuring a symbolic coronation, or Rajyabhishek, of artists playing Lord Ram and Sita. In a scene similar to past years, the actors arrived at the park’s helipad by helicopter, representing the mythical Pushpak Vimana. Chief Minister Adityanath, dressed in traditional attire, then performed the symbolic coronation as flowers were showered from the helicopter above. He and other dignitaries then pulled the chariot carrying the artists and performed a ceremonial aarti.

What Broader Themes Did the CM Highlight?

Beyond political claims, the Chief Minister spoke about cultural revival and national pride. He called the diyas “symbols of the victory of faith over 500 years of darkness,” referring to the time since the Mughal era. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the foundation stone of the grand temple and noted that Ayodhya now attracts "six to 10 crore tourists" annually. He also claimed that under his government, attacks on religious events like Ramleela had ceased, contrasting it with the period before 2017.

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What Was the Message to the Opposition?

Adityanath strongly criticized the opposition for boycotting the Ram Temple's consecration ceremony in January 2024. He called their absence a deep ideological gap, saying, “These are the same people who bow before Babur’s grave, but refuse to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.” Speaking to chanting seers, he positioned the BJP as the main protector of the faith and portrayed rivals as outsiders to this cultural revival.