Bans Ram chants, organises iftar on roads: Yogi Adityanath's swipe at Mamata
Yogi Adityanath alleged that religious slogans and festivals face curbs in West Bengal, contrasting it with what he described as improved law and order and religious freedom under BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a rally in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, accusing her government of “appeasement politics” and restrictions on Hindu religious expression.
Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said, “Mamata Didi bans the chanting of Lord Shri Ram's name, but organises Iftar parties on the streets,” using the remark as a central plank to target the Trinamool Congress leadership. He alleged that religious slogans and festivals face curbs in the state, contrasting it with what he described as improved law and order and religious freedom under BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP leader also drew parallels between present-day West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh before 2017, claiming that the latter had witnessed riots, curfews, and instability before the “double engine government” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought development and security.
He further claimed that the state has emerged as a key economic driver, with better security for citizens and increased opportunities for youth, farmers, and businesses.
The remarks come as political campaigning heats up in West Bengal, with the BJP sharpening its attacks on Banerjee’s leadership in a bid to expand its presence in the state.
Meanwhile, Banerjee hit back at her political opponents in a post on X, saying, “Those who seek to snatch away Bengal's rights, undermine democracy to capture power, and defile this land must be firmly resisted. As long as the Maa-Mati-Manush Sarkar remains, no one will be able to halt the welfare initiatives meant for the people.”
Adityanath’s rally speech triggered a separate controversy after he misattributed a famous slogan of Subhas Chandra Bose “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”—to Swami Vivekananda. The slogan was originally coined by Bose during India’s freedom struggle.
The error drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress, with party MP Mahua Moitra mocking Adityanath and accusing him of disrespecting Bengal’s historical icons. She publicly corrected the statement and criticised the BJP leader for what she described as ignorance of Bengal’s legacy.
The Trinamool Congress also amplified the criticism, saying the misquote insulted both Bose and Vivekananda, two towering figures associated with Bengal’s cultural and political heritage.
The controversy comes amid an intense electoral battle in West Bengal, where voting is being held in phases for the 294-member assembly, with the BJP mounting an aggressive campaign to challenge Banerjee’s long-standing rule.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sharpened his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a rally in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, accusing her government of “appeasement politics” and restrictions on Hindu religious expression.
Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said, “Mamata Didi bans the chanting of Lord Shri Ram's name, but organises Iftar parties on the streets,” using the remark as a central plank to target the Trinamool Congress leadership. He alleged that religious slogans and festivals face curbs in the state, contrasting it with what he described as improved law and order and religious freedom under BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP leader also drew parallels between present-day West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh before 2017, claiming that the latter had witnessed riots, curfews, and instability before the “double engine government” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought development and security.
He further claimed that the state has emerged as a key economic driver, with better security for citizens and increased opportunities for youth, farmers, and businesses.
The remarks come as political campaigning heats up in West Bengal, with the BJP sharpening its attacks on Banerjee’s leadership in a bid to expand its presence in the state.
Meanwhile, Banerjee hit back at her political opponents in a post on X, saying, “Those who seek to snatch away Bengal's rights, undermine democracy to capture power, and defile this land must be firmly resisted. As long as the Maa-Mati-Manush Sarkar remains, no one will be able to halt the welfare initiatives meant for the people.”
Adityanath’s rally speech triggered a separate controversy after he misattributed a famous slogan of Subhas Chandra Bose “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”—to Swami Vivekananda. The slogan was originally coined by Bose during India’s freedom struggle.
The error drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool Congress, with party MP Mahua Moitra mocking Adityanath and accusing him of disrespecting Bengal’s historical icons. She publicly corrected the statement and criticised the BJP leader for what she described as ignorance of Bengal’s legacy.
The Trinamool Congress also amplified the criticism, saying the misquote insulted both Bose and Vivekananda, two towering figures associated with Bengal’s cultural and political heritage.
The controversy comes amid an intense electoral battle in West Bengal, where voting is being held in phases for the 294-member assembly, with the BJP mounting an aggressive campaign to challenge Banerjee’s long-standing rule.
