Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ignited fresh controversy with his remarks on Hindu-Muslim safety, claiming that while a Muslim family is safest among a hundred Hindu families, the same cannot be said for Hindus in a Muslim-majority setting.
He cited examples from Bangladesh and Pakistan to back his claim, suggesting that Hindus face persecution in Muslim-majority regions.
In an interview with ANI, Adityanath defended his government’s track record, asserting that communal riots, once rampant in Uttar Pradesh before 2017, have completely ceased under his leadership. He linked this to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) governance, suggesting that law and order have significantly improved.
“A Muslim family is the safest among a hundred Hindu families, but can 50 Hindus be safe among a hundred Muslim families? No,” he stated.
The chief minister also addressed the recent Sambhal violence, where four Muslims were killed following a local court’s order to survey the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. Hindutva groups claim the mosque was built over a demolished Hindu shrine—a claim rejected by the Muslim community. Adityanath vowed to identify and revive all ancient temples in the region, reinforcing his government’s focus on Hindutva politics.
Further defending his administration’s use of bulldozer demolitions—criticised as targeting Muslims—he stated that those who violate laws must be dealt with in a language they understand. His remarks have drawn backlash, as Uttar Pradesh leads India in reported hate speech cases, with a 45% rise in incidents in 2022, according to NCRB data.
Adityanath also took a swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, labeling him a follower of Mughal rulers Aurangzeb and Babur, a familiar trope in his political discourse.
