Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that he is open to the resolution of the Babri Masjid-Ram temple issue through talks and his government will be forthcoming in its efforts if called to do so.
In an interview to the RSS publication Organiser , Mr. Adityanath said “misconceptions” had been created about him due to his saffron-clad look and promised to win the hearts of “all sections” of society.
“I welcome the Supreme Court’s order on the Ram temple issue. This should be resolved amicably through dialogue. If the (U.P.) government’s co-operation is required at any stage then we are ready to do so,” he said.
“Many misconceptions are created about me. Many people say I am saffron-clad, so there are many in the country who are averse to saffron,” he said. Those who were insulting India’s tradition and culture in the name of secularism and appeasement were feeling threatened after he took office, Mr. Adityanath said.
“We will win hearts of all sections of people with our style of working,” the Chief Minister added.
Mr. Adityanath defended his government’s move to crack down on illegal slaughterhouses as being in line with the Allahabad High Court’s directives.
NGT directive
“The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015 and the High Court in 2017 had made some comments on illegal slaughterhouses in the State and given some directives to the government. We have started taking action along those lines,” he said.
“You cannot confuse legal and illegal slaughterhouses. The government’s orders are clear. If a slaughterhouse meets all legal conditions and has a licence, no one can touch it. If any official does so, he or she will be punished. However, no one will be allowed to spoil public order in the name of illegal slaughterhouses,” he said.
“If somebody is turning vegetarian out of choice then it’s a good thing and they will stay healthy,” he said. “However, I understand that everyone has their individual choice and taste and I cannot curtail individual choice. The Constitution gives them that freedom. However, that freedom has a limit, if someone is doing something illegal then the government has to crack down on it,” he added.
Listing out the priorities of his government, the Chief Minister said protection of rashtra (nation) will be the main dharma (duty) of his government.
“This is focal point of humanity. In Uttar Pradesh, we would provide corruption-free administration and rid the society of goonda raj,” he said, adding that plans have been made and their impact will be visible in the next two months.
New industrial policy
A new industrial policy will be in place to check emigration from the State and the government would make sure that 90% of the employees in any industrial unit were from within U.P., he said. Promising to clear sugarcane farmers’ dues within 14 days, Mr. Adityanath announced that five to six new sugar mills will be opened in the State over the next six months.
