In an apparent dig aimed at Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, without naming anyone, said on Tuesday that even those infamous for appeasement politics are now taking a dip at the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh. He, however, added that expecting such people to respect Sanatan Dharma would be a mistake.
“Those who did not believe in Sanatan and only did appeasement were not only forced to take a dip but were also forced to install the statues of their stalwarts (at the Sangam) to show that this is also a place, it also has importance. If we ignore this faith, then this faith will ignore who knows how many people,” the UP Chief Minister said at a media event.
Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks followed Akhilesh Yadav’s dip at the Sangam on Sunday, during which the SP chief also advised BJP leaders to attend the Kumbh with ‘sahanshilta’ (patience).
Yadav participated in the spiritual festivities of Maha Kumbh 2025 by taking a holy dip at the revered Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on January 26.
SP workers have installed the statue of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav at the Sangam. Akhilesh Yadav had garlanded his father’s statue after taking a bath at the Sangam.
Responding to a question about opposition leaders acknowledging the state government’s organisation of the Maha Kumbh, the Chief Minister emphasised the inclusivity of Prayagraj, saying, “Prayagraj belongs to everyone, and faith transcends all boundaries”.
When asked if opposition participation signals a victory for Sanatan Dharma, Adityanath responded, “This isn’t about victory or defeat. It’s a testament to the eternal power and influence of Sanatan Dharma”. However, he added, “To expect that those who have never respected India’s faith will respect Sanatan Dharma is a mistake”.
At the media event, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister highlighted the scale of participation at the Maha Kumbh and said over 16 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in the past 15 days, with the number expected to exceed the population of the world’s third-largest country by the event’s conclusion on February 26.