Talk About Mathura Adityanath Dares Akhilesh To Back Krishna Janma Bhoomi Movement

At a time when the Samajwadi Party (SP) is attempting to corner the BJP over the alleged Ram Temple donation irregularities and claim credit for exposing the issue, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Saturday sought to shift the focus from Ayodhya to Mathura.

“Ab Mathura ki baat kariye (Now, talk about Mathura),” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Hathras, where he also inaugurated development projects.

“Just like the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, a similar campaign should be run to liberate Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi,” Adityanath said.

Addressing a public gathering in Hathras, Adityanath dismissed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s recent statement that an SP government would develop Ayodhya as a “religious city”, arguing that Ayodhya’s transformation had already been achieved through the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the construction of the Ram Mandir under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Invoking the 1990 firing on kar sevaks during the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, the chief minister contrasted the SP’s past with the BJP’s role in building the Ram Mandir, saying Ayodhya today evokes the memory of “Treta Yug” because of the efforts of Ram devotees.

In what appears to be a significant political message, Adityanath indicated that the ideological focus should now extend to Mathura and the Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi.

The chief minister directly challenged the Samajwadi Party to publicly support the demand for the liberation of the Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi, drawing a parallel with the Ram Janma Bhoomi movement.

Claiming that the state government was already working towards preserving the religious heritage of Mathura on a war footing, Adityanath accused the SP of lacking the political courage to support such issues and added, “You do not have the courage to support such a movement.”

Political experts said Adityanath’s remarks mark an attempt by the BJP to shift the political discourse away from the allegations surrounding the Ram Temple donation system, signalling what could emerge as the BJP’s next major ideological plank ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More