Lucknow, Nov 03 (HS): The UP Chief Minister remarked that

previous to 2017, administrations depended on caste-based politics and

overlooked cultural and spiritual legacy, but his administration promotes

common faith and culture to unify people. CM Yogi argued that caste rigidity

divides people, whereas common cultural traditions—such as Ayodhya's Deepotsav,

which began in 2017—bring together diverse sections of society, including

religious leaders, students, sanitation workers, potters, and traders. He

believes that development and social activities should go beyond caste

divisions. He has regularly attacked the pre-2017 administrations in Uttar

Pradesh led by the SP-BSP for structuring politics around caste and regional

differences, which he argues harmed societal peace and equitable governance.

In his remarks, he lambasted previous administrations for

basing their politics on caste differences and ignoring the cultural factors

that bring society together. He praised the BJP-led double-engine

government for altering this mentality by launching the annual Deepotsav

festival in 2017, which transformed Ayodhya's (Ram Nagari) traditional history

into a celebration for all people. He argued that lamps burn in diverse hands,

yet their light connects the entire community, casting the celebration as a

lively example of societal harmony that transcends caste rigidity.

He observed that with

the leadership of Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and several religious figures, the occasion unites

people from diverse backgrounds—such as students, sanitation

personnel, potters, and merchants—focusing

on involvement over

caste for identity. He further pointed out that the significant

festival fosters employment and commercial prospects for local craftsmen, laborers, and small vendors by connecting faith with regional economic endeavors.

In a post on X, he remarked, “Caste rigidity divides

society, while shared faith and culture weave it into a single thread. Shri

Ayodhya ji's Deepotsav is a vibrant example of this social unity. Before the

year 2017, governments that made caste division the basis of politics

completely ignored this cultural force that unites society. The double-engine

government changed this mindset by starting Deepotsav in 2017 and transformed

the cultural heritage of Ram Nagari into a festival for all people.”

“Under the illustrious guidance of the revered saints and

the honorable Prime Minister Shri

@narendramodi ji, today religious leaders, students,

sanitation workers, potters, and traders all participate in this event with

equal enthusiasm and devotion. Here, identity is not determined by caste, but

by participation. Lamps burn in different hands, but their light unites the

entire society. This is the message of Deepotsav. This is the vision of a

harmonious society. Jai Jai Shri Ram,” he opined prior to signing off.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi