'The truth is, Sambhal predates Islam': Adityanath
What's the story
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that Sambhal was mentioned in scriptures over 5,000 years old, and that Islam was established much later.
He said that forcibly seizing someone's faith and trampling over their beliefs is "unacceptable," especially "when we know the truth about Sambhal," which predates Islam.
He also claimed that the temple of Hari Vishnu once stood there but was destroyed in 1526.
Statement
'Islam only 1,400 years ago'
Speaking at 'Manthan: Kumbh and Beyond' in Lucknow, he said, "Sambhal has been mentioned in scriptures that are 5,000 years old. They contain references to Lord Vishnu's future incarnation. Islam, on the other hand, emerged only 1,400 years ago.
"The evidence for these things has existed for centuries. Remember, in 1526, a temple of Lord Vishnu in Sambhal was demolished. Two years later, in 1528, the Ram temple in Ayodhya was destroyed," Adityanath said.
Religious respect
Adityanath's respect for all faiths
He also stated that 'Bhagwa' represented his identity as well as that of Sanatan Dharma, and predicted that one day the entire world will accept it.
As a yogi, he said he respects all religions, but forcible occupation of places of worship won't be tolerated.
He emphasized the need to identify pilgrimage sites in Sambhal and protect them; out of 68 such sites in the region, only 18 have been discovered till now.
Political criticism
Adityanath criticizes Congress over Kumbh Mela
The remarks came amid brewing tension in Sambhal following a court-ordered survey of a mosque believed by some to be the site of a demolished temple.
Adityanath also took a swipe at Congress for opposing the Maha Kumbh, saying they resist every positive initiative.
He recalled the alleged chaos and corruption in the first Kumbh Mela in 1954, when Congress was in power, which he claimed killed over 1,000.
"And this happened at every Kumbh Mela thereafter," Yogi added.