Vrindavan: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath said here on Friday it was ironic that the Allahabad high court had to tell the citizens that they had to sing the national anthem, when it should have been a self- motivated endeavour. He said this while welcoming the Allahabad HC’s dismissal of a PIL challenging a government order by which singing of the national anthem in all the schools and madarsas of UP was made mandatory. The court had also observed that the recitation of the national anthem was in essence the act of every citizen honouring the history and tradition of this great nation.
Yogi, who was in Vrindavan for the inaugural function of ‘Mansi Dhyan Kendra’ with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Baba Ramdev, said similarly Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to launch a cleanliness campaign which again should have been a self-motivated project.
On Hindutva, the CM said it was not an agenda for the BJP but a way of life.
Recollecting his recent visit to Kerala to attend a BJP programme, Yogi said that there were questions from the media there about Hindutva. “My answer was that for the BJP, Hindutva is not a political agenda but a way of life,” he said.
Lauding the contribution of RSS and seers in strengthening the nation, Yogi said, “The presence of organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh provides strength to the nation and keeps it unified through spiritual awareness. The nation can come to no harm till organisations like the RSS and saints are active in India, despite misleading campaigns against them,” he said.
Appealing for plantation of eco-friendly trees, he said, “Our government is planning to develop seven spots in Braj as pilgrim centres but for this we need to revive the Yamuna. Required measures include more water released from Delhi and projects for flow of garbage in the river. Such measures are being undertaken but the masses should also cooperate, by planting eco-friendly trees like peepal. ”
{{/usCountry}}Appealing for plantation of eco-friendly trees, he said, “Our government is planning to develop seven spots in Braj as pilgrim centres but for this we need to revive the Yamuna. Required measures include more water released from Delhi and projects for flow of garbage in the river. Such measures are being undertaken but the masses should also cooperate, by planting eco-friendly trees like peepal. ”
{{/usCountry}}The chief minister also voiced concern at the falling level of education, saying students availed of holidays in the name of great personalities but were not aware about them.
“I cut short the list of holidays and saved R60,000 crore. These holidays will now be working days and young students will be told about the great personalities and freedom fighters. The 22 crore population of the state has welcomed the step,” said Yogi.
He praised the Braj heartland where Lord Krishna lived in each nook and corner but said often we were blamed for not keeping our religious venues clean. He stressed that this should be proved a myth, calling Nikunj Van in Vrindavan as a spot which was very clean and beautiful.
Photo ::: Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath addressing the gathering at ‘Mansi Dhyan Kendra’ in Nikunj Van ashram in Vrindavan on Friday.