Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 21 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) during the 'Hindu Gaurav Diwas' programme organised on the fifth death anniversary of former Chief Minister and Padma Vibhushan awardee Kalyan Singh, accusing the party of changing its stance frequently and disrespecting the former BJP leader.
Addressing the gathering at Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, CM Yogi said, "Girgit ki tarah rang badalne wali party ke log PDA ko kaise paribhashit karte hain. Kabhi inka 'P' Pichhda tha, phir Pandit ho gaya. Dekhna, ek din ye log 'P' se Pakistan kar denge."
He said the statements of SP leaders cannot be trusted and nobody can predict what they will say next. "They are like vultures that dry up the very tree they perch on," he added.
CM Yogi also criticised SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for not attending Kalyan Singh's last rites or paying tribute to him. "The most distressing thing was that while Mayawati came and paid tribute to Babuji as a matter of courtesy and values, the SP chief neither came personally to pay homage nor expressed even a few words in his memory. It was extremely unfortunate and shameful. It was an insult to every Hindu who believes that Babuji dedicated his life to Sanatan values and Hindu pride," he said.
During the programme, CM Yogi paid floral tribute to the portrait of Kalyan Singh, who also served as Governor of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Remembering his role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he said, "Babuji was never a person who worked under pressure. He often said: 'Kalyan Singh may break, but he cannot bend.'"
The Chief Minister said Kalyan Singh followed this principle throughout his life and, during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, had made it clear that "struggle was acceptable, losing power was acceptable, but insulting Lord Shri Ram was not."
"Today, when people see the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Ram Lalla enshrined there, the memory of Babuji naturally comes to mind. He openly supported the Ram Janmabhoomi movement led by saints under the guidance of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the leadership of the Vishva Hindu Parishad. He lost power but firmly declared that bullets would not be fired on Ram devotees," CM Yogi said.
He further alleged that disrespecting great personalities was a habit of the SP leadership. "Babuji dedicated his life to values, and that became his identity. The SP leadership did not merely insult Babuji at the time of his passing; disrespecting great figures is a habit of theirs," he said.
Highlighting examples, CM Yogi said, "Although Kannauj has long been associated with the Samajwadi Party, the SP leadership removed Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's name from the government medical college established there. The BJP government restored Babasaheb's name. Similarly, a college in Mainpuri named after Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar also had her name removed by the SP government. The BJP government later established a new medical college in Auraiya in the name of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar."
The Chief Minister said Kalyan Singh's life remains an inspiration for those who believe that the nation comes first and India's Sanatan values and ideals are paramount. He said Hindu Gaurav Diwas is an occasion to draw inspiration from the memories and life of Babuji.
"A person does not become great because of a position; greatness comes from one's thinking and actions. Born into a humble farmer's family in Atrauli, Kalyan Singh rose through dedication, commitment to principles, and service to the nation," CM Yogi said.
He added that Kalyan Singh, as a disciplined volunteer shaped by the RSS, served in various capacities including farmer, teacher, legislator, minister, Chief Minister, Member of Parliament and Governor.
"Babuji's life was marked by simplicity, discipline, devotion, and struggle. He fought against injustice and oppression and devoted his entire life to protecting Sanatan values and serving the poor of the villages, the food-provider farmers, the youth, and every section of society," he said.
CM Yogi also recalled the response of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Kalyan Singh's demise, saying, "Babuji was a BJP leader but also a source of inspiration for everyone. After his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled all engagements and came directly from Delhi to Lucknow to pay tribute."
"From SGPGI to Babuji's residence, from there to Aligarh, and finally to Narora for the last rites, the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet were present. But the SP chief not only stayed away from these events, but he also did not even utter two words of tribute," he said.
The Chief Minister said Kalyan Singh gave Uttar Pradesh a distinct identity and worked towards creating a better environment for the youth. "He offered a new vision and direction for young people," he said.
He also highlighted that a divine statue of Kalyan Singh has been installed at Uttar Pradesh's first cancer institute, which has been named after him. He added that the government medical college established by the BJP government in Bulandshahr has also been named after the former Chief Minister.
"By safeguarding Sanatan values, Kalyan Singh paved the way for the construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya by ending the 'structure of slavery' at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. It is the duty of followers of Sanatan Dharma to remain devoted to such a personality. To keep Babuji's memories alive and carry forward this legacy, everyone must contribute," CM Yogi said.
He also thanked Rajveer Singh 'Raju Bhaiya' and Sandeep Singh for continuously preserving and promoting the tradition of remembering Kalyan Singh.