Yogi Adityanath, born Ajay Mohan Bisht, is an Indian monk and politician who has been serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since 2017. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been a Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur since 1998.
Adityanath’s political journey began in the 1990s when he became associated with various Hindu nationalist organizations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His association with these organizations, along with his strong Hindu nationalist views, helped establish him as a controversial but popular figure in Indian politics.
Mahant Avaidyanath: Guru of Yogi Adityanath
Yogi Adityanath is a Hindu monk and was initiated into the Nath tradition by his guru, Mahant Avaidyanath.
Mahant Avaidyanath was a prominent Hindu priest and politician who served as the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math, a Hindu temple in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was a member of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and was known for his Hindu solid nationalist views.
Mahant Avaidyanath was also a Member of Parliament, representing the Gorakhpur constituency from 1991 to 1998. He was a founding member of the Hindu nationalist political party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and played a significant role in building the party’s support in Uttar Pradesh.
Mahant Avaidyanath passed away in September 2014, and Yogi Adityanath succeeded him as the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math and as a Member of Parliament for the Gorakhpur constituency. Yogi Adityanath has since become one of the most influential leaders in the BJP and has played a significant role in advancing the party’s Hindu nationalist agenda.
In conclusion, Mahant Avaidyanath was a prominent Hindu priest and politician who had a significant impact on the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh and India. His influence can be seen in the rise of his disciple, Yogi Adityanath, who has become one of the most influential leaders in the BJP and has played a significant role in advancing the party’s Hindu nationalist agenda.
In 1998, Adityanath was elected as a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and has since been reelected five times. During this time, he gained a reputation as a charismatic leader who was not afraid to speak his mind on controversial issues. He became known for his hardline Hindu nationalist views and his support for the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.
In 2017, Adityanath was elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, making him the first Hindu priest to hold office. Since taking office, he has focused on implementing reforms to improve the lives of the people of Uttar Pradesh.
One of his first major initiatives was to improve law and order in the state. Adityanath launched several programs aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety, including the Anti-Romeo Squad, which was formed to crack down on the harassment of women in public places. He also implemented a zero-tolerance policy for cow slaughter, which is considered a sacred animal by many Hindus.
In addition to law and order, Adityanath has also focused on developing the state’s infrastructure. He has launched a number of initiatives aimed at improving the state’s transportation network, including the construction of new highways and the expansion of existing roads. He has also launched several programs aimed at promoting the state’s tourism industry, including the development of Hindu religious tourism.
Some Important years in Yogi Adityanath’s political career:
1998: Adityanath was elected as a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and has since been reelected five times.
2017: Adityanath was elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, making him the first Hindu priest to hold office.
2019: Adityanath led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a resounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly elections, securing over 300 seats in the 403-member assembly.
2021: Adityanath was reelected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, solidifying his position as one of the most influential leaders in the state.
These years mark some of the key milestones in Yogi Adityanath’s political career and highlight his growing influence and popularity as a leader in India.
Adityanath’s political style is often described as “hardline Hindu nationalism,” and his views on specific issues have been the subject of much controversy. For example, he has been criticized for making inflammatory statements about Muslims and for his support for the construction of a Hindu temple on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya. Despite these controversies, he remains a popular figure among his supporters and is seen as a charismatic leader who is not afraid to take bold actions to improve the lives of the people of Uttar Pradesh.
Controversies related to Yogi Adityanath
Yogi Adityanath has been associated with several controversies throughout his political career:
- Communal Tensions: Adityanath has been accused of making inflammatory and divisive remarks that have led to communal tensions between different religious groups in Uttar Pradesh. He has been criticized for his views on minorities, particularly Muslims, and for advocating for the establishment of Hindu Rashtra, a Hindu nationalist state.
- Love Jihad: Adityanath has been an outspoken critic of the concept of “Love Jihad”, which is the alleged attempt by Muslim men to convert Hindu women to Islam through marriage. He has advocated for laws to curb this practice, which has been widely criticized as being baseless and as stoking communal tensions.
- Law and Order Issues: Adityanath has faced criticism for his handling of law and order issues in Uttar Pradesh. There have been reports of increased incidents of mob violence, particularly against minorities, since his tenure as Chief Minister.
- Health Care: Adityanath’s government has faced criticism for its handling of the health care system in Uttar Pradesh, with reports of inadequate infrastructure and shortage of medical supplies in state-run hospitals.
- Freedom of Expression: Adityanath’s government has been criticized for cracking down on dissent and curbing freedom of expression in the state. There have been reports of journalists and activists being targeted by the police for their views.
In conclusion, Yogi Adityanath’s political career has been marked by his association with Hindu nationalist organizations and his controversial views. Despite this, he remains a popular and influential figure in Indian politics. His tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has been marked by a focus on improving law and order, developing the state’s infrastructure, and promoting Hindu religious tourism. While his views and actions have been the subject of much controversy, he remains a popular figure among his supporters and is seen as a charismatic leader who is not afraid to take bold actions to achieve his goals.
