Yogi Adityanath’s controversial remarks in UP Assembly spark outrage, viewed as anti-Muslim
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s controversial remarks in the state Assembly, suggesting that he would not leave his opponents “even fit for Fatiha to be read,” have triggered sharp criticism from political leaders and legal experts alike.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the comment was made during a heated exchange in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, as Yogi responded to opposition criticism over the misuse of codeine-based cough syrup.
Addressing the opposition benches, particularly the Samajwadi Party, Yogi said, “Hamari sarkaaar ki kaaravaai antim charan tak pauchegi, tab tak aap mein se bahut saare log Fatiha padhne jaayenge vahaan lekin hum aapko Fatiha padhne layak bhi nahin chhodenge (when the government’s action reaches its final stage, many would go to read Fatiha, but the government would not leave them ‘even fit’ for such prayers).”
Fatiha is a short chapter from the Holy Quran recited in Muslim obligatory prayers or as part of funeral rites for the deceased. The UP CM’s use of this religious reference to make a political point has been widely condemned, with many interpreting it as a veiled threat and an attempt to incite fear and hostility, especially among the Muslim community.
Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey strongly criticized Yogi’s remarks, calling them, “unbecoming of a person holding a constitutional position.” He said the opposition had raised questions related to governance and accountability, but the Chief Minister “chose to respond with threats and religious references instead of facts.” He condemned the invocation of Fatiha in the debate, saying that “dragging a religious practice into a political attack lowers the dignity of the Assembly.” He further said that such remarks “create fear and polarisation rather than allowing democratic discussion,” and that the opposition was being discouraged from asking legitimate questions.
Following the exchange, Pandey led Samajwadi Party MLAs in a walkout, saying they were protesting “the tone and language used by the Chief Minister on the floor of the House.”
Legal experts have also weighed in on the controversy. Advocate Areeb Uddin, a legal practitioner based in Lucknow, said, “A sitting Chief Minister suggesting that people will not even be left worthy of last rites crosses a line.”. “When that imagery is drawn specifically from a minority religious tradition, it reinforces fear and marginalisation. He further said, “The Chief Minister is not a street-level politician; he occupies a constitutional position. Words spoken on the Assembly floor carry authority. When those words evoke death and religious identity, they legitimise hostility rather than law.”
