Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi in his first public address after being sworn in, sought to reassure people of the state that there would not be any discrimination on the basis of caste, religion or gender.
Addressing a gathering in Gorakhpur on Saturday on his maiden visit to his hometown after he became CM of India’s largest, most politically crucial state a week ago, he said he had the responsibility to ensure balanced development of all 22 crore people of the state.
In a bid to allay fears of the rise of Hindu revanchists, the mahant told BJP cadres not to be “overzealous” in celebrating the party’s victory, not to take the law into their own hands, giving “anarchist” forces the opportunity to disturb law and order.
On the controversial anti-Romeo squads “to stop harassment of girls and women”, he said clear instructions had been given that couples sitting together with each other’s consent should not be harassed.
The CM clarified that only legal slaughterhouses would be allowed to function and all others would be shut as per the directives of the National Green Tribunal. He also announced a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh to pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarover Yatra and ended his address with “Jai Shri Ram” that evoked a resounding applause.
Diyas were lit and chants of “Yogi Yogi” rent the air as his convoy travelled. The Gorakhnath temple of which he is the head priest was decorated with flowers and lights to welcome him.
