A day before Ayodhya gears up for its grand Deepotsav 2025 celebrations, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav sparked a fresh controversy by questioning the government’s decision to spend large sums of money on lighting diyas and candles across the holy city.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav remarked, “In the entire world, all the cities get illuminated during Christmas, and that goes on for months. We should learn from them. Why do we have to spend money on lamps and candles and put so much thought into it?”
In a jibe at the Yogi Adityanath government, Yadav further said, “What can we expect from this government; it should be removed. We will make sure that there are more beautiful lights.”
His comments immediately drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused him of insulting the sentiments of millions of devotees who consider Ayodhya the spiritual heart of India.
Reacting strongly to Yadav’s comments, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Samajwadi Party’s disdain for Hindu traditions is not new.
“A party with a history of opposing the Ram Mandir movement, keeping Ayodhya in darkness for years, and even taking pride in attacking Ram Bhakts, is now opposing the city’s decoration for Deepotsav,” Poonawalla said.
He further added, “When they held the Saifai celebration, which did not benefit the common people, they felt proud. But in Ayodhya, where thousands of small vendors and artisans are earning their livelihood, they are expressing discontent. This shows their hypocrisy.”
The BJP maintained that Deepotsav has not only become a global symbol of Indian faith and culture but also a crucial source of income for local traders, artisans, and tourism-based businesses.
Now in its ninth edition, Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has evolved into one of India’s most spectacular festivals of light and devotion. The celebrations began on October 17, with the grand finale scheduled for October 19, featuring the lighting of 26,11,101 diyas across 56 ghats along the sacred Saryu River, a new world record in the making.
This year’s event combines ancient tradition with modern technology, featuring 1,100 drones, 2,100 Vedic scholars, and 33,000 volunteers who ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities. The celebrations extend beyond Ram ki Paidi, illuminating newly developed ghats such as Rajghat, Guptarghat, and Laxman Kila Ghat.
Since its inception in 2017, when just 1.71 lakh diyas were lit, the Deepotsav has grown fifteenfold, symbolising not only Ayodhya’s transformation but also the deepening devotion of Ram Bhakts worldwide. The city’s approach roads, temple paths, and public spaces have been adorned with thematic lighting, decorative arches, and cultural facades, turning Ayodhya into a living canvas of faith and pride.
Yadav’s remarks come at a politically charged time, as the ruling BJP continues to project Ayodhya as a global spiritual hub after the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol in January 2024. The SP chief’s statement is being seen as an attempt to counter the BJP’s narrative of religious nationalism with a critique of government spending priorities.
As the city prepares to set another Guinness World Record for the number of diyas lit, the political fire around a comment on those very lamps continues to burn just as brightly.
