The Assam CM batted for the removal of Miya Muslims from the state during the election campaign. In West Bengal, CM Suvendhu Adhikari called it a victory of ‘Sanatana Dharma’ over appeasement politics.
Bangladeshi infiltrators were the poll subject in both these states.
In UP, there is no issue of Bangladeshi infiltration. But Hindutva politics has always been stronger and has resonated well in favour of the BJP.
The victory in Assam and West Bengal has reinforced the idea of Hindutva for the BJP and it is likely to continue the Hindutva theme with more vigour in UP.
On Monday, UP CM Yogi Adityanath reiterated his earlier statement of banning Namaz on roads.
“Namaz should not be offered on the roads, roads are for walking. If they don’t agree respectfully, we will adopt other methods,” Yogi said during a programme in Lucknow. He said if there are more people to offer Namaz, then it should be conducted in shifts.The comment once again initiated debate and leaders from the BJP and Opposition started expressing their opinion. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP is trying to divert people from the real issues. He said if there are no space in mosques, there is no harm in offering Namaz on the road.
This is not the first time that Yogi Adityanath has raised this issue. Last year, in April, the issue had created a lot of buzz when Yogi talked about a ban on Namaz on roads.
BJP is following a set template to keep the issue in public discourse and move ahead with the tested formula of Hindutva backed by governance. In January 2022, just ahead of the assembly elections, Yogi said the election will be between 80% and 20%.
