Lucknow: As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly’s Winter session begins today, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mata Prasad Pandey has announced that the Samajwadi Party (SP) will raise concerns about rising communal tensions in the state, particularly focusing on the situation in Sambhal.
Pandey stated that the party intends to hold the government accountable for its role in fostering communal discord and expects significant disruption during the session. He remarked, “Today, we will submit a notice to the government regarding the communal incidents occurring and the efforts to incite riots. We will demand accountability for these situations.”
Responding to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s comments about the recent discovery of a temple in Sambhal, Pandey questioned why the temple has only now come to light, asking whether it had been excavated or simply recognized recently.
The LoP emphasized that the SP will continue to combat all forms of injustice across communities and will address public issues such as unemployment and farmers’ struggles. He criticized the government for diverting attention from pressing problems, stating, “Unemployment is the biggest issue in the country today. Farmers are facing numerous challenges, and the government is trying to distract from these concerns. Why is the government hesitant to address the issues of a state with 25 crore people?”
Pandey also reiterated the party’s opposition to early elections, contrasting with Mayawati’s support for the idea.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his remarks on Sunday, questioned the 46-year closure of a historic temple in Sambhal and criticized previous governments for neglecting faith and heritage. He posed rhetorical questions about the sudden appearance of the ancient temple and the lack of justice for victims of violence from that period, highlighting the need to remember those who lost their lives.
Adityanath also speculated on the potential developments in Ayodhya had the Ram temple verdict not been delivered, suggesting that the area would not have seen such transformative growth. He accused certain groups of opposing these changes and lamented their failure to achieve progress during their time in power.
His comments followed the rediscovery and reopening of a 400-year-old Lord Shiva and Hanuman temple in Sambhal, which had been closed since 1978. The temple was uncovered during an inspection related to encroachment and electricity theft, and officials plan to restore it to its original state.