Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a recent ANI podcast, asserted that minorities, particularly Muslims, are the safest in the state under his government. He claimed a Muslim family would feel secure living among a hundred Hindu families, but argued the reverse wouldn’t hold true — suggesting that 50 Hindus wouldn’t feel safe among 100 Muslim families. He pointed to Bangladesh and Pakistan as examples of places where minority Hindus have faced attacks and displacement.
Reflecting on his government's eight-year tenure, Adityanath emphasized that communal riots have ceased since the BJP came to power in 2017. He argued that prior to 2017, riots affected both communities, with homes and shops of Hindus and Muslims burning alike. Since then, he stated, peace has prevailed in Uttar Pradesh, ensuring safety for all.
Addressing ongoing disputes over religious sites, Adityanath questioned the presence of mosques on what he described as “Hindu sites.” He remarked that such constructions contradict Islamic principles, suggesting they were established on disputed or historically significant Hindu grounds. He mentioned the district of Sambhal, where a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid last year triggered violence that resulted in five deaths. Adityanath revealed that his government has identified 54 out of 64 pilgrimage sites in the area and vowed to restore them, signaling a broader effort to reclaim and revive Hindu religious landmarks.
Throughout the discussion, Adityanath maintained that his vision as a Yogi is rooted in ensuring "everyone's happiness" while emphasizing the importance of Hindu safety as a precondition for the safety of other communities.
