Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on the Left groups and missionary organisations, accusing them of attempting to “brainwash” Janjati communities before the BJP came to power in the state in 2017. He claimed that for decades, Janjati populations were denied even the most basic rights and services – including voting rights, ration cards, and access to roads, electricity, and healthcare.
During the ‘Worker Felicitation Ceremony of the Shri Guru Gorakhnath Health Service Yatra’ held in Lucknow, the chief minister delivered these comments. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale was present as the chief guest at the event, which was attended by volunteers and workers associated with the health service initiative.
Yogi Adityanath said that for a long time, the janjati communities were neglected by successive governments. “You will be surprised to know that until 2017, these villagers had no right to vote, no ration cards, no electricity, roads, or healthcare,” he stated. According to him, these communities were caught in a cycle of exploitation, left at the mercy of the forest department and local law enforcement.
Reflecting on past conflicts, the Yogi Adityanath recalled his involvement during a tense period in Nepal involving Maoists and Madhesi groups. He expressed his gratitude to the Hindu Jagran Manch, an organisation associated with the RSS, for offering valuable on-the-ground insights during that period. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked that it was a turning point in his understanding of the relentless dedication shown by the Sangh and its allied groups. Their commitment to protecting and supporting the communities living in India’s border regions became evident to him, highlighting the deep-rooted efforts these organisations consistently make in the service of the nation.
The chief minister praised the role of the RSS and influential figures like Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh and Mahant Avaidyanath, his spiritual mentor, for laying the groundwork for social transformation in rural and Janjati regions. “They took significant steps toward uplifting remote communities by setting up hostels and educational institutions for children. These initiatives served as a crucial starting point in promoting both academic development and social empowerment in areas that had long been underserved,” he remarked.
Yogi Adityanath emphasised that the current government has been working to bring those living in forest and border areas into the mainstream, ensuring access to infrastructure and public welfare schemes.
Though the event was primarily focused on health service workers, the Chief Minister’s speech carried strong political overtones, possibly aimed at strengthening BJP’s Janjati outreach in the run-up to national elections. The mention of pre-2017 marginalisation appears part of a broader narrative to contrast the BJP’s governance with that of previous governments, especially on issues of inclusion and infrastructure development. The Chief Minister’s remarks are coming at a time when the BJP continues to highlight its Janjati outreach as a key part of its political narrative, especially in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
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