Lucknow, Feb 18 (UNI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders, accusing them of double standards on the opening day of the Uttar Pradesh budget session.
The CM said that while SP leaders send their children to English-medium schools, they oppose government efforts to improve education for the general public, instead pushing for Urdu. He alleged that the SP aims to lead the country toward fundamentalism, a move which will not be tolerated.
Welcoming the inclusion of local dialects such as Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj and Bundelkhandi in proceedings of the Assembly, he emphasised the government's commitment to preserving and promoting these languages, recognising them as daughters of Hindi.
Yogi said, "Our government is setting up separate academies for these languages to ensure their growth. They are daughters of Hindi and deserve their rightful respect. This House is not just for scholars, every section of society must have its voice heard."
Accusing the SP members of opposing Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, and Bundelkhandi, he said they are, in essence, against UP's cultural heritage. He asserted that they have dual character and double standards.
Emphasising the richness of Braj Bhasha, the CM highlighted that Saint Surdas composed his divine verses in this language, while Saint Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, which became a spiritual guide not only for North India but also for NRIs in times of crisis.
Lashing out at those opposing Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and Braj, he said that such resistance reflects an opposition to India's cultural heritage and traditions. "It is unfortunate that at a time when these languages are receiving the respect they deserve, some people are protesting against it," he said.
Taking a dig at the SP, Yogi said that opposing every good initiative has become the party's nature. "You oppose every positive step taken in the interest of the state and the country. This attitude will not work," he said.
He pointed out that when the assembly Secretariat decided to include local languages in its proceedings, the SP opposed even that. Sarcastically, he said that the public is fully aware of SP's double standards, and such hypocrisy should be exposed before society.
Reaffirming his government's commitment to preserving and promoting regional languages, the CM announced the setting up of Bhojpuri Academy, Awadhi Academy, and Braj Academy to honour and uplift these languages.
He said, "It is our responsibility to preserve our mother tongues and promote them. The opposition's stand clearly shows they are not just against development but also against our culture."
Yogi further criticised SP’s educational hypocrisy and said, "These people will educate their children in English-medium schools, but if the government wants to provide the same opportunity to others, they say to teach them Urdu instead. Their agenda is to make children maulvis and push the country towards fundamentalism. This cannot continue."
He said, "Such elements should be exposed and condemned."
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