Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said every person living in India must respect its culture and traditions, adding that those who still consider themselves descendants of Babur should understand that New India will neither live with nor accept a “slave mentality”.“Double-engine govt will not spare, at any cost, those who play with the safety of our sisters and daughters. The Turk’s tyranny will no longer prevail. In Sambhal, only what the Harihar Mandir decrees will happen,” he said while launching development projects in the district.Referring to Sambhal’s history, past communal flare-ups and the recent controversy surrounding the Jama Masjid survey, the chief minister said the city would be developed as a pilgrimage centre associated with Lord Kalki, believed to be an avatar of Vishnu.“Five hundred years ago, in 1526, this land of Vishnu was defiled by foreign invaders. The Harihar temple was demolished, 68 teerths were desecrated, 19 koops were encroached upon and Sambhal’s identity was distorted. Some people were forcibly converted while others were killed,” he said.The CM alleged that about 10,000 acres of land encroached upon during previous Congress and Samajwadi Party regimes had been reclaimed by his govt.Calling opposition leaders “slaves of invaders”, Adityanath said they lacked a vision for Sambhal’s development. He added that BJP representatives did not discriminate among beneficiaries of welfare schemes on the basis of whom they had voted for.Speaking on illegal land occupation, the CM said land records would be made transparent and tamper-proof so that no one could grab another person’s property. He also warned of strict action against those attempting to do so.Adityanath said efforts were underway to revive the district’s teerths and koops. He added that Sambhal was set to get a PAC battalion and an integrated district headquarters.“All roads are being widened and linked to the Ganga Expressway so that devotees from across the world can visit the Harihar temple when Sambhal emerges as a major pilgrimage destination associated with Lord Kalki,” he said.
