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Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured that people from all religions are safe in the state, asserting that as a Yogi, he wishes for everyone’s happiness.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, speaking to ANI, said that if Hindus are safe, then Muslims are also safe in his state.
CM Yogi, highlighting the tolerant nature of Hindus, said that a Muslim family would feel safe among a hundred Hindu families. He, however, questioned the possibility of 50 Hindu families being safe among a hundred Muslim families.
“A Muslim family is the safest among a hundred Hindu families. They will have the freedom to practice all their religious deeds. But can 50 Hindus be safe among 100 Muslim families? No. Bangladesh is an example. Before this, Pakistan was an example. What happened in Afghanistan? If there is smoke or someone is being hit, we should be careful before we get hit. That is what needs to be taken care of,” Yogi said, while adding that he treats everyone equally.
CM Yogi reiterated that Muslims in Uttar Pradesh are the safest, emphasizing that communal riots in the state have stopped since the BJP came to power in 2017.
“In Uttar Pradesh, Muslims are the safest. If Hindus are safe, then they are also safe. If there were riots here in UP before 2017, if Hindu shops were burning, then Muslim shops were also burning. If Hindu houses were burning, then Muslim houses were also burning. And after 2017, the riots stopped,” he added.
“I am an ordinary citizen, a citizen of Uttar Pradesh. And I am a Yogi who wishes for everyone’s happiness. I believe in everyone’s support and development,” the UP CM stated.
He termed Sanatan Dharma as the most ancient religion in the world while asserting that there are no examples in the world where Hindu rulers, using their own strength, have established dominion over others.
“Sanatan Dharma is the most ancient religion and culture in the world. You can guess from its name. Sanatan Dharma followers have not converted others to their faith. But what have they received in return? What did they gain in exchange? There is no example anywhere in the world where Hindu rulers, using their own strength, have established dominion over others. Such instances do not exist. While everyone has this mind-set–‘this belongs to me, and that belongs to someone else’–which is a product of narrow and limited intellect. In contrast, for Sanatan Dharma followers, the whole world is considered a family, guided by this universal feeling,” he said.
Speaking about law and order in the state during Ram Navami and Eid, he said, “We sit with the administration from time to time, and we have already prepared an SOP for this. Uttar Pradesh is the first state that, according to the instructions of the Supreme Court, has controlled noise coming from outside its territory or has had it removed and controlled it through this communication.”
Referring to violence in West Bengal last year during Ram Navami, he asserted, “If we can do it, then why can’t it be done in Bengal?”
Speaking on the tarpaulin used to cover the mosque during Holi in Uttar Pradesh, the CM said that there are strict instructions not to throw colours at the mosque, but colours do not harmy anyone.
“If you are playing with colours, it does not harm anyone’s existence. You tell me. It is not like that; there are rallies during Muharram. Doesn’t the shadow of their flag fall on any Hindu house near the temple? Does it make the Hindu house impure? These are strict instructions not to put anything that is not coloured. But even then, if it has fallen, then the administration is cleaning it and repainting it,” Yogi Adityanath said. (ANI)
“What will BJP do by taking over Masjids?”: UP CM Yogi Adityanath slams opposition for spreading misinformation on Waqf Bill
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticised the opposition for spreading misinformation about the BJP’s intentions regarding Masjids and Waqf properties.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, UP CM Yogi Adityanath questioned the opposition’s motives, asking how much land they plan to take over in the name of Waqf and what welfare initiatives they have undertaken using Waqf properties.
Yogi Adityanath alleged that Waqf properties have been misused for personal gain, with some properties being sold to multiple buyers, leading to disputes.
“What will the BJP do by taking over the Masjids? I think they (the Opposition) are trying to mislead. In the name of Wafq, how much land will you take over? Secondly, have they done any welfare in the name of Waqf? You can’t even name one. Look, they have misused that property for thier personal selfishness. It has been sold at any cost. What is the situation today? They have sold one property to many people. Now there’s a dispute because of it.” Yogi Adityanath said.
He emphasised that the BJP’s goal is to free Waqf properties from encroachment and misuse and ensure their use for the welfare of the community. The party has been pushing for greater transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, which are meant to serve the Muslim community.
Yogi Adityanath voiced his support for the Waqf Amendment, stating that it’s essential for the country’s benefit and the Muslim community.
“The JPC has requested that the Waqf Amendment be made a necessity today, and it should move forward in a timely manner. I think it will be for the benefit of the country and also for the benefit of Muslims,” CM Yogi Adityanath said.
CM Yogi Adityanath also warned that the amendment’s implementation could cause problems for people who have settled on Waqf properties or invested money in them, potentially leading to financial losses.
“It will cause all kinds of problems in the future. For the people who have settled down and for the people who have given money. Because all their money will be lost,” he added.
Adityanath questioned the Waqf Board’s authority to acquire land, alleging that they have misused their power to blackmail governments. He criticised the board’s practices, saying they have made outrageous decisions, taking over properties and public lands without justification
“They used to look for any property and blackmail the governments. In the name of Waqf, they have taken all kinds of outrageous decisions, especially Waqf, who says that this land is theirs and then it belongs to them. Which country is this? Who has given you this power? Will you take over any property? Will you take over any place? Will you take over any public land? So this cannot happen,” Yogi Adityanath said.
AIMIM chief Assasuddin Owaisi has opposed the bill, calling it “unconstitutional” and the government’s “attempt to take over” Muslim properties, including Masjids. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
The proposed amendment aims to address these concerns and ensure that Waqf properties are utilized for the intended purposes, benefiting the Muslim community and the country as a whole. (ANI)
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