Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 4 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday criticised opposition parties—Congress and Samajwadi Party—for their silence over the persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus.

Addressing the Bhimrao Ambedkar Samman Samaroh, the Chief Minister stressed the need to protect Hindus and address their concerns, asserting that both Congress and Samajwadi Party share the same ideological roots.

‘No political party among Congress, Samajwadi Party and TMC raised voices in their (Bangladeshi Hindus') favour. Only the BJP raised its voice in their favour... We have to protect every Hindu...,’ Adityanath said during the programme.

He also highlighted the contributions of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and referenced a book written by former Uttar Pradesh DGP and Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal, comparing Ambedkar with Jogendra Nath Mandal, a Dalit leader who had supported Pakistan during the time of independence.

‘Three years ago, Rajya Sabha MP and former DGP of Uttar Pradesh Brijlal had written a book. That book was based on a comparative study of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and two great Dalit warriors during the time of independence. On one side was Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and on the other side was Yogendra Nath Mandal... Yogendra Nath Mandal had supported Pakistan but he could not live there even for a year. Bangladeshi Hindus are still suffering the punishment for the actions of Yogendra Nath Mandal. All the tortured and oppressed Hindus living in Bangladesh are Dalits,’ said Adityanath.

Jogendra Nath Mandal (1904–1968), leader of the Scheduled Castes Federation, was Pakistan’s first Law and Labour Minister. He later resigned in 1950 and sought asylum in Calcutta after witnessing atrocities against minorities in East Bengal under the Pakistan administration.

The Chief Minister also criticised opposition parties for undermining India’s cultural heritage. He cited instances such as the Samajwadi Party's praise for Mohammad Ali Jinnah and alleged disrespect towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He further referred to changes in university names made during opposition regimes as evidence of a pattern of behaviour that, he claimed, contradicted national pride.

‘The name of the BR Ambedkar University in Kannauj was also changed, but we worked to bring it back. Even today, these people are doing the same kind of work. The Samajwadi Party praised Jinnah, insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is doing the work of Aurangzeb's glorification board in Maharashtra... The DNA of Congress and Samajwadi Party is the same,’ he stated.

This statement comes ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti, the annual commemoration of the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar—jurist, economist, social reformer, and chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.

Further criticising the opposition, CM Yogi spoke about the Waqf Act, alleging that the opposition was attempting to incite people and spread violence in the country.

‘Today, they are trying to incite people in the name of Waqf and want to spread violence in the country,’ the Chief Minister added.

(ANI)