New Delhi: Is everything fine in Uttar Pradesh or is there chaos? What is going on between the government and the centre? These days, the stir on the issue of Sanatan Dharma and Hindutva has intensified in the politics of Uttar Pradesh.
Sanatan Dharma, Shankaracharya controversy and internal dissatisfaction regarding UGC rules and different stance of the Deputy CM have raised questions. Are these just local issues or is there a deeper tension with the central government? The Center is still silent, due to which some people are also considering it as a “behind the scenes strategy”. If we look at the recent events, one after another the developments in the politics of Uttar Pradesh and the silence of the Center have given rise to many questions.
After the alleged misbehavior of the police with the Batuk Brahmins in the Magh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya had earlier opposed it and now he is seen supporting it. Second Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has also honored 101 Batukas. Brajesh Pathak applied tilak to Batuks at his Lucknow residence, showered flowers and took their blessings. He termed the incident as a “great sin” and said that it is the responsibility of the society to respect the traditions.
This step has been taken at a time when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had created a controversy in Prayagraj by calling Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati as “Kalanemi” (demon of Ramayana).
When Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya supported Shankaracharya’s protest and met him, CM Yogi had called it an issue of “decency”. However, Shankaracharya had taken a dig at the respect of Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak and said, “First you kill, then offer flowers. Will this bring peace?” He alleged that despite wearing saffron clothes, Sanatan symbols are being insulted in the government.
Meanwhile, CM Yogi Adityanath met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Lucknow. This is the second meeting in three months, which took place as part of the RSS centenary year publicity programme.
According to sources, the strategy for the 2027 assembly elections was discussed in the meeting. In this, emphasis was laid on strengthening the Hindutva wave, countering the PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) strategy of the Samajwadi Party and coordination at the booth level.
After the meeting with the CM, the Sangh chief also met both the Deputy CMs one by one on Thursday. This meeting has also been described as a sign of strengthening the Hindutva agenda. But no clear decision has been taken on the UGC rules due to which the upper caste community is angry.
If seen, everyone’s eyes are fixed on development in UP. The central government is maintaining silence on this issue. Some party leaders, who are avoiding saying anything on camera, are also saying in hushed tones that this could be a strategy going on behind the scenes against Yogi in the name of Sanatan Dharma. These leaders are also talking about internal discord in BJP.
While leaders like Deputy CM Maurya and Pathak are trying to strengthen themselves, the new equity regulations of UGC have dealt a blow to the efforts of Hindu unity. This has increased caste dissatisfaction. Is this a conspiracy to ‘expose’ the Chief Minister?
Opposition leaders like Akhilesh Yadav called it a ‘political stunt’, while BJP MLA Nand Kishore Gujjar described Pathak as the flag bearer of Sanatan. 2027 elections are round the corner, and this development in UP BJP is also being seen as a test of the balance between Hindutva, caste and development. But the question is whether the Centre’s silence is a deliberate strategy, or just a coincidence? These things will be decided only in the coming days.