‘Scoring Points For Votebank’: BJP Slams Akhilesh Over ‘Shivling Under CM Residence’ Remark

Last Updated:December 30, 2024, 11:53 IST

Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘Shivling’ remarks come amid the ongoing controversy surrounding a series of excavation exercises being conducted in Uttar Pradesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lashed out at Akhilesh Yadav over his “Shivling beneath UP CM’s residence should be excavated” remark, saying that the Samajwadi leader “mocked” Hindu deity for votebank politics.

Yadav on Sunday stoked a political row after claiming that there was a ‘Shivling’ beneath the official residence of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in Lucknow, and it should be excavated.

“From celebrating the killing of Ram Bhakts to abusing Sanatan dharma several times, the Samajwadi Party has an anti-Hindu agenda in its DNA. Now they have said there’s a Shivling below UP CM’s residence and it must be excavated,” said BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

“Can this (mocking of Shivling) be said about any other faith or religion?” the BJP leader asked. “They have insulted Hindu deities for vote bank politics,” he said.

What Akhilesh Said

Addressing reporters in Lucknow, Yadav said, “There is a Shivling under the Chief Minister’s residence in Lucknow. It should also be excavated.”

Yadav’s remarks come amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the excavation of an ancient stepwell in Sambhal, a district in Uttar Pradesh that saw violent clashes last month over a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque.

The discovery of the stepwell came just days after the ruins of an ancient Banke Bihari temple were reportedly found in the same area. Yadav accused the BJP of exploiting such surveys to distract the public from pressing issues, including unemployment and the agrarian crisis.

Location :

Uttar Pradesh, India