After refusing to host iftar, Yogi Adityanath skips Idgah event

Lucknow: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath broke a long-standing tradition and did not visit the Idgah on Monday to greet people on the occasion of Id.

Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma represented the chief minister at the Idgah and said that Lucknow was the land of Ali and Bajrangbali and was known for peaceful coexistence of the two communities.

Governor Ram Naik and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also visited the Idgah to wish Muslims on the festival.

It has been a tradition in Lucknow for the chief minister to attend the Id “namaaz” at the Aishbagh Idgah, and thereafter, address the people. Yogi Adityanath is the second chief minister to skip the event, even though he was in Lucknow on Monday.

However, Yogi Adityanath spoke to prominent clerics on phone and wished them on Id. He also issued a statement greeting people on the occasion and said, “This festival of happiness enhances the spirit of mutual brotherhood as well as strengthens social unity. It gives everyone a message of peace and harmony in society.”

Earlier, the chief minister had declined to host the annual Iftar at his residence. He also did not attend the Iftar held at Raj Bhawan by UP Governor Ram Naik on June 23.

Former chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said that Yogi Adityanath should have attended the prayers at Idgah — a unique tradition.

“He is the chief minister and he should have been here. I am the ousted chief minister but still I am here,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, special security arrangements had been made for the festival across the state and the police stepped up vigil in communally sensitive areas.

A section of Muslims wore black bands on their arms to register their protest against religious killings and the failure of the government to protect Muslims.