Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

In Ayodhya, Yogi says ‘Ram rajya’ is here

- Pawan Dixit

AYODHYA: Launching a veiled attack on Uttar Pradesh’s previous government on Wednesday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that “Ravan rajya” had ended and now it was time for “Ram rajya” to begin.

Starting his speech with ‘Jai Shri Ram’, the chief minister announced projects worth ₹133 crore, mostly sponsored by the Modi government, for Ayodhya.

During his previous visit, Adityanath had launched Saryu aarti and announced projects worth ₹350 crore for the temple town. “We cannot construct Ram temple as the issue is pending before court, but no one can stop us from developing Ayodhya,” chief minister said. Amid chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and ‘Mandir Wahi Banayenge’ from the crowd which had gathered at the Ram Katha Park for the Diwali celebratio­ns, he said: “Ravan rajya has ended and Ayodhya will get its due respect and recognitio­n again.” Without naming anyone, the BJP leader took a jibe at UP’S previous SP government.

“That was Ravan rajya. It has now come to an end. Now, there will be no more politics of caste and appeasemen­t. Now, there will be Ram rajya”, said the CM, and added that Ram rajya meant an end to “poverty, pain, grief or discrimina­tion.” The chief minister said his government did not discrimina­te on the basis of caste or religion .

“We don’t discrimina­te on the basis of caste, creed and religion. In the previous Ravan raj, there was discrimina­tion on basis of family, caste and other factors,” he said. Questionin­g his predecesso­rs, he asked: “Why Ayodhya was neglected all these years? Ayodhya gave the festival of Diwali to the world but was neglected. This will change now. It is time to change Ayodhya’s image”.

 ?? DEEPAK GUPTA/HT ?? Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath (left) welcomes artistes dressed up as Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman after their arrival by helicopter for Diwali celebratio­ns in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Governor Ram Naik (right) looks on.
DEEPAK GUPTA/HT Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath (left) welcomes artistes dressed up as Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman after their arrival by helicopter for Diwali celebratio­ns in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Governor Ram Naik (right) looks on.

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