At grand ‘Deepotsav 2026’, Yogi targets SP over Ayodhya ‘neglect’ and firing on Ram devotees
Ayodhya, 07 November: In the grand-divine Deepotsav-2026 ceremony organized in Ayodhya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday put the Samajwadi Party in the dock, accusing them of neglecting Ayodhya, firing on Ram devotees and insulting the saints.
He bluntly said that those who had neglected Ayodhya, insulted it, fired bullets on Ram devotees and had lathicharge done on saints, they should definitely come to Ayodhya, but should come after apologizing. Apologize to the devotees of Lord Rama and the saints and repent for your actions. Lord Rama is the protector and merciful of all; he will forgive everyone, but it doesn’t take even a moment to destroy the arrogance of arrogant power.
Chief Minister said that today’s Ayodhya is bringing alive the memories of the Treta Yuga. The Ayodhya where chanting the name of Lord Rama was once met with lathicharge and firing, where banning the name of Lord Rama was considered a sin, and which was neglected and cursed, is now attracting the entire world with its ancient glory.
Chief Minister said that this tenth edition of the festival of lights is a wonderful expression of Ayodhya’s cultural consciousness, public faith, and devotion to Lord Rama. The journey that began with 25,000 lamps has now crossed the 2.5 million mark, reaching the resolution of lighting 3 million lamps. The consciousness of Lord Rama is truly the consciousness of India. This is India’s culture and values. Shri Ram is the lifeblood of the Indian nation and also India’s self-respect. This is why our scriptures recognize Ayodhya as the first among the seven cities. Lord Shri Ram resides in every particle and every pore of Ayodhya. In the Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas ji, while describing the glory of Ayodhya, wrote, “Awadhpuri was made very beautiful. The gods brought a shower of flowers.” “The Lord came to Ayodhya. It was a sight to behold.”
The Chief Minister said that in the Treta Yuga, when Lord Shri Ram, along with Mother Janaki, younger brother Lakshman, and son of the wind, Hanuman, returned to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile, the people of Ayodhya would have welcomed him with lamps and joy in the same manner. Today’s Ayodhya is reminiscent of that historical and spiritual scene. He also quoted lines from the Ramcharitmanas: “Although everyone described Vaikuntha, the world knows it well from the Vedas and Puranas.” “No one knows this story as dear as Awadhpuri.”
Chief Minister said that Ayodhya has fought a long struggle to regain its glory. During 500 years of slavery and foreign invaders, Ram devotees, saints, Nagas, Nihangs, and every section of society fought. Kar Sevaks made sacrifices. Respected saints led the movement. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement progressed under the leadership of revered Ashok Singhal and the guidance of saints.
Yogi added that today, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ram Lalla is seated in his magnificent temple, in keeping with the spirit of Ayodhya. Those who tried to deny Ram’s existence by deploying armies of lawyers in the courts have at least gained the wisdom to acknowledge his existence. This is our ideological victory. Ram never discriminated against anyone. He embraced every section of society, including forest dwellers, mountain dwellers, monkeys, bears, Nishadraj, and Mother Shabari. The temples of Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Mata Shabari, and Jatayu within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex symbolize this inclusive consciousness. Ayodhya is the city of Bajrangbali, and Hanumangarhi symbolizes the presence of its protector deity.
He said that those who once stained the streets of Ayodhya with blood are now unable to control their greed. It is surprising that some people who attend the Katha do not even know the limits of the Katha. They are not even aware of whether it is a Katha or a Mushaira. Our Kathas have their own dignity and sacred tradition, but some people, due to their unruly nature, try to desecrate them by bringing them under the ambit of a Mushaira, without considering the dignity of Ram and the sanctity of the Katha.
Ayodhya has progressed from three hours of electricity to a smart and solar city.
Discussing the development of Ayodhya, the Chief Minister said that previously, the place barely had three hours of electricity. Today, Ayodhya has established itself as the country’s Smart City and Solar City. The Dharma Path, Bhakti Path, Shri Ram Path, and Janmabhoomi Path are attracting the world. Once neglected, Ayodhya now boasts a long chain of ghats, from Naya Ghat to Guptar Ghat. Previously, water stagnated at Ram’s ghat, but today, clean water from the Saryu River flows from one side and back into the river. The double-engine government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working on projects worth approximately 40,000 crore rupees for Ayodhya’s development. In the Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram arrived in Ayodhya in a Pushpak Viman, but an airport remained unbuilt for years. Today, an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki has become Ayodhya’s landmark. Maharishi Valmiki introduced Ram to the nation and the world, and today, through the airport named after him, modern Ayodhya is connecting with the world. Kitchens and restaurants are operating in the name of Mata Shabari, and night shelters are operating in the name of Nishadraj.
Chief Minister assured the Ram devotees that after the history they have created, Ayodhya will never again be placed under curfew. No one will dare to riot here. No one will be able to neglect Ayodhya, insult the saints, and even dare to fire on Ram devotees.
Welcoming the Vice President of India at the event, the Chief Minister said that the Vice President, born into a humble farmer family in Tamil Nadu and committed to Indian tradition, culture, values, and ideals, has discharged important responsibilities as a Member of Parliament, Union Minister, Governor, and now Vice President. He also greeted Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and the revered saints present.
On this occasion, the chief guest of the ceremony was Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, Minister in charge Surya Pratap Shahi, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, Khadi and Village Industries Minister Rakesh Sachan, Minister of State for Food and Logistics Satish Chandra Sharma, Mayor of Ayodhya Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi, District Panchayat President Roli Singh along with revered saints, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Vasudevacharya Vidyabhaskar Ji Maharaj, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Shridharacharya Ji Maharaj, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Ramdineshcharya Ji Maharaj, Shrimahant Kamalnayan Das Ji Maharaj of Maniram Das Cantonment, Shrimahant Ram Lakhan Das Ji Maharaj of Digambar Akhara, Jagadguru Satua Baba along with other revered saints and senior office bearers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Dinesh were present.
Amidst the grandeur of the Deepotsav, the Vice President and Chief Minister performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram
On the occasion of the grand Deepotsav in Ayodhya, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram and performed aarti for him. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram and aarti for him. Lakshman and Hanuman were warmly welcomed with tilaks. All the guests expressed their reverence and respect by presenting gifts to Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
Following this, the revered saints and sages of Ayodhya present there also performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram and performed aarti to express their respect. Following the saints’ worship, the ministers present on the stage also performed the worship and aarti for Lord Shri Ram. During this time, the entire complex reverberated with chants of Jai Shri Ram.
On this auspicious occasion of Deepotsav, public representatives, saints, and devotees prayed for the assimilation of Lord Shri Ram’s ideals and for the happiness, prosperity, peace, and welfare of the people of the state and the country.
