UP elections: Grand temple to be build in Mathura, says deputy CM Maurya | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

UP elections: Grand temple to be built in Mathura, says deputy CM Maurya

Dec 02, 2021 05:01 AM IST

Preparations are underway for the construction of a grand temple in Mathura on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi, Keshav Prasad Maurya said.

Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stirred up a fresh row in the poll-bound state on Wednesday after he said that preparations were underway for the construction of a grand temple in Mathura on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi.

UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday said that preparations were underway for the construction of a grand temple in Mathura on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi.
UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday said that preparations were underway for the construction of a grand temple in Mathura on the lines of Ayodhya and Varanasi.

“Ayodhya aur Kashi bhavya mandir nirman jaari hai, Mathura ki tayyari hai (grand temples are being constructed in Ayodhya and Kashi and Mathura will be next),” Maurya tweeted.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Mathura -- the western UP town believed to be the birthplace of Hindu god Krishna -- has a prominent mosque - the Shahi Idgah - located next to the Krishna janmabhoomi (the site believed to be the god’s birthplace). The mosque has been at the centre of a legal battle for years with Hindu groups claiming that the Idgah was built on land where Lord Krishna was born.

The tweet comes days after a right-wing group, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, announced plans to install a Krishna idol at the Shahi Idgah after elaborate rituals. The group, however, cancelled the plan on Monday.

Also Read | Denied permission, ABHM calls off Dec 6 ‘jalabhishek’ prog at Eidgah in Mathura

Talking about the announcement coming close on the heels of the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, on December 6, Maurya said: “During the time of the Ayodhya agitation, we would raise the slogan that Ayodhya is ours, now is the turn of Kashi and Mathura. Now, a Kashi Vishwanath corridor has come up in Varanasi and naturally it would be the turn of Mathura next.”

“With the blessings of the people we are confident that the ancient glory of our grand heritage would be restored,” he added.

Reacting to the tweet, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav told news agency ANI, “BJP has the agenda of robbing the poor and filling the pockets of the rich, they have always worked to benefit the rich class. No rath yatra or new mantra is going to help BJP in the upcoming polls.”

Also Read | Mathura: Sec 144 imposed after right-wing outfits’ threat

Congress spokesperson Zishan Haider, too, hit out at the BJP. “The game plan is clear. A day before union home minister Amit Shah’s visit to west UP, a deliberate attempt has been made to polarise the society on religious lines. BJP is back to its favourite play - Hindu-Muslim politics,” he said.

UP BJP leader Navin Srivastava, however, defended Maurya, saying: “There is nothing wrong in what Keshav ji said. We all should be proud of our heritage. Shame on these political parties who first tried to stall the construction of Ram temple and now are back to playing their favourite appeasement politics.”

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Manish Chandra Pandey is a Lucknow-based Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times’ political bureau in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Along with political reporting, he loves to write offbeat/human interest stories that people connect with. Manish also covers departments. He feels he has a lot to learn not just from veterans, but also from newcomers who make him realise that there is so much to unlearn.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On