PRAYAGRAJ: UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Friday said “those who believe they are Indians and have respect for sanatan dharma” could visit Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and wouldn’t be stopped. He was responding to a question whether Muslims would be allowed in the event that begins January 13.
His remark comes in the wake of a demand by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, apex body of sadhus and Hindu religious figures, that Muslims should be prohibited from entering Mahakumbh.
“There are a lot of people whose ancestors accepted Islam in some era but they still feel pride in Indian tradition. They link their gotra with the ‘rishi tradition’ and celebrate festivals. If these people come (to Mahakumbh), there is no problem,” he said while speaking at a media event organised by Aaj Tak news channel.
But, without naming any community, he said those with destructive mindset would find things not to their liking. Issuing a warning to anyone who try to hurt religious sentiments, he said “they should be prepared for denting painting if they went there”.
Speaking on his slogan ‘Batenge to Katenge’, he said it was a bid to remind people of India’s history. Yogi said the enemy were those who were trying to divide India on the basis of caste, religion and language; parties that had contested polls on foreign funding; and those who had insulted the Constitution by inserting words like ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the preamble.
Weighing in on a controversy regarding claims that Kumbh land was under Waqf Board, Yogi said “Waqf was a board of encroachers” and his government was getting all Waqf property assessed to see what had been illegally acquired.
