CM Yogi slams Rahul over Manusmriti remarks NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stepped up his attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Manusmriti, while also targeting the party’s state leadership over its alleged conduct in Ayodhya.Speaking in Raebareli, CM Yogi said Rahul Gandhi, as leader of opposition, had a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and respect India’s traditions and heritage.“Recently, I was reading a statement made by the Member of Parliament from Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi. He made a statement in Maharashtra urging women to break free from the shackles of the Manusmriti. Rahul ji, the country does not have high expectations of you merely as Rahul Gandhi; in fact, it has no expectations at all. However, your role as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament entails accountability towards the country’s democracy. You took an oath to uphold the Constitution of India, yet you seem to consider it your birthright to disparage India’s traditions and heritage.”CM Yogi accused Gandhi of insulting Uttar Pradesh and India during visits outside the state and abroad. He also alleged that the Congress had questioned the existence of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and referred to the Emergency imposed in 1975.The UP chief minister said Rahul Gandhi should study ancient Indian texts to understand Manu and India’s heritage.“You make comments regarding Manu, Ram, or India’s heritage. If you wish to understand Manu, read the Atharvaveda, the Shatapatha Brahmana and the Matsya Purana; you will find all the information there.”Yogi also criticised remarks directed at the Prime Minister, saying such statements amounted to an attack on an institution rather than an individual.“When you insult India’s institutions, when you make derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister of India, you are not merely insulting an individual; you are insulting an institution of India. The Prime Minister is not just an individual; the Prime Minister is an institution of India.”He added that such criticism could undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions and urged Gandhi to refrain from what he called irresponsible behaviour.CM Yogi targets Congress stateCM Yogi also attacked the Congress state president over an alleged incident involving a visit to Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya, accusing him of displaying duplicity.“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside—anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display. Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is—chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out. This is their history—the history of this Congress state president.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCM Yogi further alleged that the Congress leader had bowed before a mafia figure who had allegedly killed his brother, claiming the situation changed only after the government acted against the accused.“When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him. He knelt before the very man who had brutally killed his brother. It was only when the government stepped in and crushed that mafia element that the situation changed; otherwise, these people had turned the state into a mafia-dominated territory, creating an identity crisis.”CM Yogi also said society could have no future if it forgot its ancestors and accused unnamed groups of attempting to weaken India’s traditions, values and ideals.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar Abuse123PhotostoriesFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasonsNauvari to Coorg style: Practical saree drapes that turned India’s traditional six yards of grace into comfortable workwear10 traditional Maharashtrian breakfast dishes for a flavourful start5 Indian bridal fabrics that were once considered more auspicious than silkThin hair looking flat? 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NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday stepped up his attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Manusmriti, while also targeting the party’s state leadership over its alleged conduct in Ayodhya.Speaking in Raebareli, CM Yogi said Rahul Gandhi, as leader of opposition, had a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and respect India’s traditions and heritage.“Recently, I was reading a statement made by the Member of Parliament from Raebareli, Rahul Gandhi. He made a statement in Maharashtra urging women to break free from the shackles of the Manusmriti. Rahul ji, the country does not have high expectations of you merely as Rahul Gandhi; in fact, it has no expectations at all. However, your role as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament entails accountability towards the country’s democracy. You took an oath to uphold the Constitution of India, yet you seem to consider it your birthright to disparage India’s traditions and heritage.”CM Yogi accused Gandhi of insulting Uttar Pradesh and India during visits outside the state and abroad. He also alleged that the Congress had questioned the existence of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and referred to the Emergency imposed in 1975.The UP chief minister said Rahul Gandhi should study ancient Indian texts to understand Manu and India’s heritage.“You make comments regarding Manu, Ram, or India’s heritage. If you wish to understand Manu, read the Atharvaveda, the Shatapatha Brahmana and the Matsya Purana; you will find all the information there.”Yogi also criticised remarks directed at the Prime Minister, saying such statements amounted to an attack on an institution rather than an individual.“When you insult India’s institutions, when you make derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister of India, you are not merely insulting an individual; you are insulting an institution of India. The Prime Minister is not just an individual; the Prime Minister is an institution of India.”He added that such criticism could undermine public confidence in constitutional institutions and urged Gandhi to refrain from what he called irresponsible behaviour.
CM Yogi targets Congress state
CM Yogi also attacked the Congress state president over an alleged incident involving a visit to Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya, accusing him of displaying duplicity.“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside—anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display. Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is—chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out. This is their history—the history of this Congress state president.”
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CM Yogi further alleged that the Congress leader had bowed before a mafia figure who had allegedly killed his brother, claiming the situation changed only after the government acted against the accused.“When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him. He knelt before the very man who had brutally killed his brother. It was only when the government stepped in and crushed that mafia element that the situation changed; otherwise, these people had turned the state into a mafia-dominated territory, creating an identity crisis.”CM Yogi also said society could have no future if it forgot its ancestors and accused unnamed groups of attempting to weaken India’s traditions, values and ideals.
