UP CM Yogi Adityanath Hits Back At Ex-VP Hamid Ansari Over Hindu Right-Wing Remarks, Says Comments Tarnish India’s Image

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly rebuked former Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday, criticizing his recent remarks on Hindu right-wing communalism. Addressing the 'Prerna Vimarsh-2026' program at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, Yogi called Ansari's comments "unfortunate" and claimed they disrespected India's Sanatana tradition and Hindu culture.

The Chief Minister suggested that a person with Ansari's high constitutional post should uphold the dignity of their role, stating, "His personal views may be different. But when it comes to India, one should, while respecting the Constitution, make the greatest possible contribution to the country's unity and integrity."

Yogi also accused Ansari of linking India's Hindu tradition with terrorism, alleging such statements could damage the country's image. He did not name Congress leader Rahul Gandhi but criticized his actions at an event on Saturday, claiming it amounted to an insult to women. Yogi highlighted Indian culture's emphasis on prioritizing the elderly, women, and those with disabilities, stating, "If there is an elderly person, a woman, a person with a disability or someone older than us, we ask them to go first or offer them a seat when one is available. This is our culture and this is how we conduct ourselves."

Responding to Ansari's remarks, former Vice President Hamid Ansari, speaking at the third A G Noorani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, referred to a statement attributed to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, suggesting that India faced a greater threat from Hindu right-wing communalism than communism. He discussed A G Noorani's 2019 book, The RSS: A Menace to India, and emphasized a shift from civic nationalism to cultural nationalism.

Ansari also expressed concern over recent trends that challenge the principle of civic nationalism, promoting intolerance and insecurity, and advocated opposing these through legal and political means.