What about land taken over by Waqf? Yogi Adityanath jabs SP, Congress over Ram temple donation theft criticism

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 12:47 IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit back at the Samajwadi Party and Congress over their criticism of irregularities linked to donations at the Ram Temple, asking why the opposition remained silent on what he described as large-scale encroachment of land by Waqf bodies.

Addressing a public gathering in Pratapgarh, Adityanath accused opposition parties of selectively targeting Hindu religious institutions while ignoring other issues.

"What about the land that has been taken over by Waqf?" the Chief Minister asked, in an apparent response to opposition attacks over allegations surrounding donations and financial management linked to the Ram Temple.

Without naming specific leaders, Adityanath said some parties were attempting to create controversy around the temple despite what he described as its significance for millions of devotees.

The remarks come amid a political slugfest over allegations related to donations and financial transactions associated with the Ram Temple, an issue that has provided fresh ammunition to opposition parties to target the BJP government and the temple trust.

Adityanath used the occasion to reiterate the BJP's broader charge that the opposition engages in "appeasement politics" and raises questions only when matters relate to Hindu faith and religious institutions.

The Chief Minister also highlighted his government's development initiatives in Pratapgarh, including healthcare and infrastructure projects, and renewed his attack on previous governments over law and order, employment and governance.

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