Is Yogi Hindutva into progress?

Lucknow: BJP is returning to its Hindutva formula because it knows that it can use religion to divide society and win elections, say political rivals. The party is trying to revive the Hindutva agenda ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram in Uttar Pradesh, witnessed a spectacular Diwali celebration last week and created a world record by lighting up 1.71 lakh diyas on the banks of Saryu.

In the coming months, Mathura will witness its most colourful Holi that will be followed by Janamashtami celebrations on a grand scale and Varanasi will also celebrate Shivratri on a magnificent scale.

To create jobs, the Yogi Adityanath government is pushing for promotion of tourism like never before, however, critics see a camouflaged Hindutva agenda in the BJP government’s visible priority for projects revolving around Hindu holy cities and festivals. His stated governance model for progress and abolition of poverty also comes with a heavy saffron overtone as he claims to be striving for re-establishment of Ram Rajya.

Apparently, the BJP is determined to revive its Hindutva agenda for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections because highlighting development may not bring in sufficient vote in the prevailing scenario, say political observers. A senior UP minister, who did not wish to be named, confirmed the BJP government’s “unofficial Hindutva” agenda.

“We are doing what the people expect us to do. Hindutva is in the DNA of our party and since the chief minister himself is a religious head, there is no denying the fact that religion will dominate our policies,” he said.

In the recent months, Mr Adityanath has announced a slew of projects for infrastructure upgradation in cities that have a religious significance for Hindus.

The saffron-clad chief minister, who himself heads the Goraksh Peeth in Gorakhpur, is certainly not apologetic about the fact that Hindu religious tourism is his priority. He has been touring the holy cities, participating in rituals and closely monitoring the development and sanitation around Hindu shrines.

“We will develop places of religious interest in Uttar Pradesh in a manner that they emerge as major tourist hubs. We will provide world class facilities in these centres including Ayodhya, Mathura, Varanasi and Chitrakoot where Lord Ram spent 11 years of his exile,” the chief minister said, adding that this will boost economy and provide employment.

He said that Ram Rajya means progress, abolition of poverty and no discrimination. “People should not see a political design in our efforts for development. The state government wants to realise the dream of a Ram Rajya through development,” he said.

When Mr Adityanath began his tenure as chief minister in March, his focus seemed to be on development of basic amenities and infrastructure across the state.

However, his priorities now seem to have changed seven months later. The chief minister appears to be concentrating only on Hindutva promotion and development seems to be a mere excuse, allege rivals.

The idea of celebrating Diwali in Ayodhya and recreating the return of Lord Ram by illuminating the holy city in a manner never seen before, was actually a part of the BJP’s vote-oriented game plan, they said. Even as the BJP camouflages its Hindutva agenda with development, the Opposition has clearly seen through the ruling party’s designs.

Samajwadi Party’s MLC Sunil Singh Sajan said, “They (BJP) are blatantly playing the religion card and everyone can see it. Development is merely as excuse and not a priority.. The BJP will use religion in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections because they know that their report card on other fronts is dismal.”

Congress spokesman Dujendra Tripathi echoed similar sentiments when he said, “The BJP is returning to its Hindutva formula with a vengeance because they know that they can use religion to divide society and win elections. However, the Congress will continue to expose them and make people aware”.

The BJP is undeterred by the political attacks. The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a campaign  which helped the saffron party to arrive on the national political scene in the 1990s, is still a distant dream and Mr Adityanath seems to be in a hurry to woo Hindu voters ahead of the 2019 elections.

This is the reason why he has decided to gift devotees of Lord Ram an iconic a 100-feet tall statue of Lord Ram on the banks of the Saryu river, said a Congress leader.

Other proposed development activities in Ayodhya that revolve around religion include construction of a new Ramayana museum, revival of Ram Leela, Saryu Mahotsav, building of a multipurpose hall at Digambar Akhada, Illuminated façade for Ram ki Pairi, solar lighting at  ghats of the Holy Saryu and pedestrian-friendly streets linking major temples in the city.

In Mathura, the UP government is redeveloping the ghats on the banks of the Yamuna, along with areas around temples. Similar projects have been conceived for Varanasi and Chitrakoot which have mythological link to Lord Shiv and Lord Ram.

UP tourism minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said that the UP government was also working towards the Ardh Kumbh which will be held in Allahabad in January 2019.

“We will make the event bigger with additional facilities for pilgrims. The chief minister has a dream and we are working overtime to achieve it,” she said.

All cities having religious significance have also been promised 24-hour power supply by the Yogi government.

The bureaucracy, having understood the government’s priority, is also going out of its way to promote the saffron wave. From electric poles to roadways buses — all have been painted saffron.