From Restrictions to Reverence: Yogi highlights new Ayodhya vision
Ayodhya, November 8: Addressing a Diwali Milan programme in Nishad Basti near Ramghat Halt in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Ram devotees would no longer face bullets or baton charges in Ayodhya, nor would there be any restrictions on chanting “Jai Shri Ram” or undertaking the Panchkosi, 14-Kosi and 84-Kosi Parikramas. He emphasized that a clean, beautiful, well-organized and dignified Ayodhya, reflecting the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, should be preserved and promoted as a symbol of collective resolve and faith.
On this occasion, he honored members of the Nishad community, boatmen, fishermen, sanitation workers, and councilors and employees who have done excellent work in the field of cleanliness and presented them with Diwali gifts.
Chief Minister said, “Yesterday’s Deepotsav was celebrated with such grandeur. I have come to you personally today to thank you all for that. May our city be beautiful, clean, and organized. Whenever you go outside Ayodhya and proudly declare that you are from Ayodhya, everyone in front of you will be compelled to respect you. But if our city or village is dirty, disorderly, and chaotic, then when you go out, people will say, ‘Oh, there’s so much filth and chaos! Let’s run away.'” He added that the identity of a city or village is determined by its cleanliness and orderliness. Therefore, it is our responsibility to maintain Ayodhya’s reputation.
Chief Minister praised the work of the sanitation workers after the Deepotsav, stating that millions of devotees visited Ayodhya yesterday. A large number of people from across the country and the world, as well as from Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya, were present. Over 3 million lamps were lit, and the crowd of devotees continued until late at night. Despite this, when he went out in the morning, all the ghats appeared clean and beautiful. There was no dirt, no disorder, and no chaos. Crowds of young people were seen thronging the streets to visit Hanumangarhi and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. This is an amazing feat.
He said, “I congratulate all the sanitation workers who managed this entire event so systematically and heartily congratulate them on the entire event. Maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of Ayodhya despite the arrival of such a large number of devotees is commendable in itself.
Praising the contributions of the boatmen, boatmen, and Nishad community, the Chief Minister said that during the Saryu Aarti yesterday, all the boatmen performed their duties with great diligence. This is a sacred place. Every Saturday and Sunday, every new moon and full moon, and on every important festival and celebration, millions of devotees come here. They bathe in the presence of Mother Saryu, enjoy the place, receive blessings, and express their faith. However, sometimes problems like slippery slopes arise while approaching the ghats.
He said that the strong contribution made by our boatmen, boatmen, and Nishads in Ayodhya is highly commendable. That is why I have come to express my heartfelt thanks to all of them. We have come to carry forward that legacy, and today you are being honored in the name of Ayodhya.
Referring to Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the Chief Minister said that today, people across the country and the world remember and respect Ayodhya Dham with sacred sentiments. Seeing the people of Ayodhya also inspires a sense of respect.
He remarked on how Lord Shri Ram gave Ayodhya its identity and glory. He remarked on how Nishadraj joined him, received the affection of Mata Shabari, and monkeys and bears also joined him. Together, they forged a front against the demonic forces of that time, and the results are before us all.
Yogi said that when Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya, followers of Sanatan Dharma across India lit lamps and welcomed and felicitated him with great reverence. Our sage tradition, ancestors, and saints have kept alive the memory of events that occurred thousands of years ago through festivals and celebrations. Diwali, Holi, and Rakshabandhan are testaments to this. Similarly, events like Vijayadashami, Ramnavami, Vivah Panchami, and the Jhula Mela in Ayodhya keep our memories alive.
Chief Minister said that seeing today’s Ayodhya excites everyone. The government can work and undertake construction, but the responsibility of maintaining and protecting it should rest with the local people. If the government undertakes construction on one hand, and the next day someone uproots the stones at night and takes them away, who will install them? Therefore, along with development, the protection and preservation of public property is also essential.
He said that today Ayodhya is beautiful and reminiscent of the Treta Yuga. The credit for this also goes to all of you. Future generations will express their gratitude to you. When New Ayodhya was being built, someone’s ancestor may have been a councilor, someone a sanitation worker, someone a boatman. Everyone was contributing to the construction and management of Ayodhya in some way or another. This is a truly overwhelming moment. Every class and every citizen has contributed to the present-day state of Ayodhya.
Chief Minister said that he has come to everyone today to offer Diwali gifts and best wishes. He appealed to everyone to accept the Diwali gift and make a resolution. This resolution should be that in the future, our Ayodhya will not be affected by the evil eye of any Manthara or Marich.
He said that our resolution should be that no evil eye should be allowed to fall on Ayodhya Dham to rob its glory and defame it again. The Chief Minister said that a clean, beautiful, well-organized, and dignified Ayodhya, the Ayodhya of Lord Shri Ram, must be maintained and promoted in this form. He has come among them today with this resolution and to wish everyone a Happy Diwali.
At the event, the Chief Minister honored sanitation workers and their children who have provided outstanding services in the field of sanitation. Those honored included Awadhesh Nishad, Suraj Nishad, Chanda Nishad, Kaushalya Nishad, Renu Nishad, Kajal Nishad, Aaradhya, Madhavi Gautam, Ansh, Jyoti, Sunita, Babban, Sandeep, and Arun. Councilors who performed outstanding work in the field of cleanliness included Kunti Pandey of Pateshwari Nagar Ward, Manisha Yadav of Chitragupta Nagar Ward, Ramtirth of Lala Lajpat Nagar Ward, Surya Kumar Tiwari of Kalyan Singh Ward, and Abhinav Pandey of Jhulelal Nagar Ward. Divers Satish Maji, Brajesh Maji, Jaggu Maji, Babu Nishad, and Abhishek Nishad, who volunteered to clean the river Saryu, were also honored for their outstanding work. The Chief Minister called on everyone to pledge to preserve the sanctity, cultural heritage, and development of Ayodhya.
