“If Hindus are safe, Muslims are also safe…”: Yogi Adityanath Highlights Safety for All Communities in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured that people from all religious backgrounds are safe in the state, emphasising that both Hindus and Muslims are protected under the current government. Adityanath made these remarks while highlighting the reduction in communal violence since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in 2017.

"The safety of Hindus is intertwined with the safety of Muslims," Adityanath stated. He pointed out that communal clashes had diminished significantly since the BJP’s governance. "In Uttar Pradesh, Muslims are the safest. If Hindus are safe, then Muslims are also safe," he asserted. According to the Chief Minister, prior to 2017, both Hindu and Muslim communities suffered from the violence. "If Hindu shops were burning, Muslim shops were also burning. If Hindu houses were burning, Muslim houses were also burning. After 2017, the riots stopped."

Adityanath also shared his perspective on religious harmony, stating that a Muslim family would feel completely secure within a group of a hundred Hindu families. However, he questioned whether 50 Hindu families would enjoy the same safety among 100 Muslim families. "A Muslim family is the safest among a hundred Hindu families. They will have the freedom to practise all their religious deeds. But can 50 Hindus be safe among 100 Muslim families? No," he remarked.

The Chief Minister further drew comparisons with other countries, stating that incidents in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan serve as cautionary examples. "What happened in Afghanistan? If there is smoke or someone is being hit, we should be careful before we get hit," Adityanath explained, stressing the need to ensure safety and vigilance in the face of potential threats.

Adityanath expressed his role as an advocate for everyone’s safety and development, regardless of religion. "I am an ordinary citizen, a citizen of Uttar Pradesh. And I am a Yogi who wishes for everyone's happiness. I believe in everyone's support and development," he said.

On the topic of Sanatan Dharma, Adityanath described it as the world’s most ancient religion and culture. He claimed that followers of Sanatan Dharma have never used force to convert others. "There is no example anywhere in the world where Hindu rulers, using their own strength, have established dominion over others," he asserted.

The Chief Minister also spoke about law and order in the state during religious festivals such as Ram Navami and Eid. He mentioned that Uttar Pradesh had taken proactive measures to control noise levels during these events, in line with the Supreme Court's instructions. "We regularly sit with the administration, and an SOP has already been prepared for this," he explained. "Uttar Pradesh is the first state to control noise coming from outside its territory, and we have successfully managed it."

Addressing the issue of the tarpaulin used to cover a mosque during Holi celebrations, Adityanath clarified that there were clear instructions not to throw colours at mosques. However, he downplayed concerns about the harmless nature of the colours. "If you are playing with colours, it does not harm anyone's existence," he said. He further pointed out that similar incidents, such as the shadow of flags during Muharram, also do not cause harm to others. "There are strict instructions not to allow anything that is not coloured. But even if something has fallen, the administration is cleaning and repainting it," he concluded.​