Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh slams Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav for his remarks on Kanwar Yatra

Lucknow : Reacting sharply to Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav’s recent remarks on the Kanwar Yatra, Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh accused him of politicising matters of faith. He said that those who once ordered bullets to be fired on Ram bhakts are now misleading the public by pretending to care about the welfare of pilgrims.

Swatantra Dev Singh stated that during the SP regime, neither the sanctity of the Kanwar Yatra was respected nor were adequate security arrangements made. “Today, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is personally conducting aerial surveys to inspect the arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra. From closing liquor and meat shops along the yatra route to ensuring cleanliness, medical aid, traffic control, and overall order, every detail is being attended to. And now, Akhilesh Yadav suddenly claims to be concerned about the Kanwariyas,” he said.

He termed Akhilesh Yadav’s statement a clear case of political opportunism and an attempt to whitewash his past disregard for faith. “The people of Uttar Pradesh clearly understand his real intentions and are determined to reject every one of his agendas,” he added.

Countering Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations, Swatantra Dev Singh asserted that the BJP is a cadre-based party where all decisions are taken through a democratic process. He said that a family-driven party like the Samajwadi Party has no moral authority to question the BJP’s leadership model. “A party that cannot think beyond its own family even within its organisation cannot talk about democracy,” he said.

Swatantra Dev Singh remarked that Akhilesh Yadav’s comments reveal his lack of understanding of devotion and administrative responsibility. “In the Yogi government, the respect for faith is paramount. Our objective is not just to provide convenience to devotees, but to preserve the sanctity of the Kanwar Yatra,” he said.

He added that the Yogi administration has set a new benchmark by conducting every religious event with security, cleanliness, and efficient organisation. “Under CM Yogi, there is a unique harmony between devotion, security, and order,” he said.