# Yogi Adityanath Demands Apology From Akhilesh Yadav Over Ayodhya Temple Visit Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister challenges opposition leader's upcoming visit to the Ram Temple. - **Source:** [NDTV – Top Stories](https://www.ndtv.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3414b62a-dcb5-4365-a0b6-468c95f73bd4 ## Temple Visit Controversy Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has publicly demanded that Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav offer an apology to devotees before visiting the Ram Temple. This statement follows the announcement that Yadav plans to visit the site on December 12. The temple was inaugurated two years ago after decades of legal disputes. ## Historical 1990 Context Adityanath referenced the 1990 police firing on volunteers during the tenure of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav's father. While the central government at the time reported 15 deaths, various Hindutva organizations claim the toll exceeded 50. This historical event remains a central point of contention between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party. ## Deepotsav Rhetoric The Chief Minister made these remarks during the tenth edition of Deepotsav, an annual festival involving the lighting of thousands of earthen lamps in Ayodhya. Adityanath stated that those who once neglected or insulted the movement must repent for their past actions. He emphasized that the Lord is kind but punishes arrogance. ## Akhilesh Yadav's Stance Akhilesh Yadav has previously accused the BJP of fanning communalism, though he acknowledges the Ayodhya dispute was settled by the 2019 Supreme Court verdict. He has avoided visiting the temple until now, citing the ongoing construction of the Kedareshwar Dham temple in his home turf of Etawah as a primary reason. ## Upcoming Political Schedule SP leader Pawan Pandey confirmed that Akhilesh Yadav and his wife, Dimple Yadav, will offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi on December 12. Pandey, who is the party's candidate for the Ayodhya seat in the 2027 Assembly elections, is organizing the visit to mark a significant shift in party strategy. ## BJP Party Reactions State BJP leaders, including party chief Pankaj Chaudhary, criticized the visit as opportunistic. Minister Danish Azad Ansari suggested that the Samajwadi Party is raising the Ayodhya issue to mislead the public ahead of upcoming elections. These reactions highlight the ongoing tension between the two major political forces in Uttar Pradesh state. ## Electoral Rivalry Dynamics The temple visit follows a heated exchange regarding who should contest the Ayodhya seat. Akhilesh Yadav previously dared Adityanath to run from the temple town, to which the Chief Minister responded with a counter-challenge. Yadav has since clarified he will focus on statewide campaigning rather than running for a specific seat. ## Broader Political Implications This confrontation underscores the enduring influence of the Ram Temple issue on Uttar Pradesh politics. As the 2027 Assembly elections approach, both parties are leveraging the site for political messaging. Whether this visit alters voter perception remains to be seen, but it signals a sharpening of campaign rhetoric across the state. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/first-apologise-to-ram-devotees-yogi-adityanath-on-akhilesh-yadavs-ayodhya-visit-plan-12297283#publisher=newsstand — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._