Roads for traffic, not namaz; learn discipline from Hindus: Adityanath

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has defended his government’s warning to Muslims against offering namaz on public roads, stating that roads are designated for the movement of traffic. In an exclusive interview with PTI, he emphasized that those protesting the ban should learn religious discipline from Hindus, who participated in the Maha Kumbh Mela without any incidents of crime, destruction, or harassment.

Adityanath also criticized critics of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that Waqf boards have become centers of selfish interests and property grabbing, doing little for the welfare of Muslims. He pointed to the charity work done by Hindu temples and mutts in fields such as education and healthcare, questioning whether any Waqf boards have contributed similarly despite controlling far more property. He argued that Waqf properties are often used for the personal gain of individuals rather than for the benefit of the Muslim community, stressing that the reform was essential and would ultimately benefit Muslims.

Rejecting accusations of discrimination, Adityanath reiterated that Muslims, who make up 20 percent of the state’s population, account for 35-40 percent of the beneficiaries of government welfare schemes. He stressed that his administration does not engage in appeasement and believes all citizens, regardless of their religion, should receive government support.

The Chief Minister also defended the controversial “bulldozer model,” which has been adopted by other states as a symbol of swift justice. He explained that bulldozers are not just tools for demolishing illegal structures, but can also be used for infrastructure development and to remove encroachments. He asserted that none of the Supreme Court's critical remarks about bulldozer action apply to Uttar Pradesh and that the apex court had praised the state’s guidelines.

On the issue of the warning against namaz on roads in Meerut, Adityanath firmly stated that there was nothing wrong with the decision. He reiterated that roads are meant for walking and urged those opposing the move to learn discipline from the Hindu community. Referring to the peaceful conduct of millions of people during the Maha Kumbh Mela, he emphasized that true religious discipline leads to peaceful and respectful behavior, including a lack of violence, theft, or property damage.

With PTI inputs