In an exclusive interview to NewsMobile partner Republic TV’s Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke about his view on Hindutva, illegal slaughterhouses, Love Jihad and Anti-Romeo Squads while also addressing his approach to governing Uttar Pradesh after 100 days in office.
In the interview, Adityanath spoke about his role as a development-focused CM while still remaining as the face of Hindu politics. The Chief Minister stated that Hindutva was not against development as it supports BJP’s ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas’ development program. However, Adityanath also stated that there was an active attempt to communalize Hindutva. Adityanath further added that his government would not discriminate against anyone.
On the issue of Love Jihad, CM Adityanath made it clear that he was not against consensual inter-faith marriages but was strongly against forced abduction of women and girls. In a similar vein, CM Adityanath strongly backed his government’s decision to implement the controversial Anti-Romeo Squads. The Chief Minister stated that the move has been successful in reducing cases of harassment against women and was in the interest of improving women’s safety in the state. He also added that the Anti-Romeo Squads would not bother couples who were with each other by mutual consent and that in case the squads did encroach upon the privacy of couples, inquiries had been conducted.
CM Adityanath also clarified on of the biggest decisions taken by his government. On the banning of illegal slaughterhouses, the Chief Minister denied any Hindu appeasement and cited the direction of the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal issued in February 2017 as the motive behind the move. Additionally, the UP Chief Minister stated that the banning of the WAQF boards was not an anti-Muslim move but instead was an anti-corruption move.
In the background of completing 100 days in office, CM Adityanath stated that the future challenge for his government would be to change UP’s work culture. He further added that as a person he was not a politician but as the Chief Minister, he has come to serve the people. He also stated that in his governance there would be many more controversial decisions that would be taken in the interest of the state.