Hours after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra commented on saffron clothes of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the latter hit back, asserting that he wore saffron robe for "public service after sacrificing everything". He went on to say that whosoever creates hindrances in the path of a 'seer' would face punishment.
During a press conference on Monday, Gandhi had referred to the UP CM’s statement, who had vowed to avenge the loss caused during the anti-Citizenship law protests in the state. She said: "Yogiji wears 'bhagwa' (saffron). Saffron belongs to this country's religious and spiritual spirit. It is a symbol of the Hindu religion. He should follow that religion. There is no place for revenge and violence in that religion."
In a Hindi tweet, hours after the statement, the CM's Office' through its Twitter handle @myogioffice said, "Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has worn saffron for public service (Mukhyamantri Shri @myogiadityanath jee ne bhagwaa lok seva ke liye dhaaran kiyaa hai) after sacrificing everything else."
"He not only wears saffron but also represents it. The saffron-coloured dress is for public welfare and nation-building and Yogiji is a traveller (pathik) on that path," the tweet said.
Another Hindi tweet said, "Whosoever creates a hindrance to the continuous 'yagya' of the 'sanyasi' (seer) for public service and public welfare, will face punishment (Sanyasi ki lok seva aur jan kalyan ke nirantar jaari yagya mein jo bhi baadhaa utpann karega, usse dandit hona hi padhega)."
"Those who have got politics through inheritance and indulge in politics of appeasement by ignoring the country, how will they understand the meaning of public service (virasat mein raajneeti paane waale aur desh ko bhulaa kar tushtikaran ki raajneeti karne waale lokseva ka kya arth samajhenge)," it said.
The Congress noted the conduct of the police had been observed and reported to be patently unlawful, destructive of the rule of law and repressive of honest citizens.
"This is unbefitting of a force that is dutybound to safeguard and protect the rights of every citizen," said the memorandum handed over to the governor by Lallu and some other senior leaders.
Furthermore, it called for: An impartial assessment of all cases filed on "peaceful protestors"; suspension for notices issued for the confiscation of property, sealing of such properties and other similar punitive actions till the establishment of due process or the completion of appropriate authorities.
It also demanded that the students participating in peaceful protests be assured that they will not face academic or legal repercussions and their fundamental right to free expression as enshrined in the constitution will be protected and upheld by law and state.
(With agency inputs)
