Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has firmly defended his decision to order a lathi charge on protestors in Jaunpur following a tragic electrocution incident during a Muharram tazia procession that claimed three lives and left several injured. The incident occurred when a large tazia came into contact with a high-tension wire during the religious procession.
Speaking at a national seminar in Varanasi dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, CM Yogi said, “Recently, a large tazia was forcibly taken out. It came into contact with a high-tension wire, and three people died. Later, when they blocked the road, the police asked what to do. I said, 'Drive them away with lathis. Laton ke bhoot baton se nahin mante (Those who are stubborn don’t listen to words).’”
Yogi also recalled a similar incident from three years ago, citing it as a reason to remain vigilant about those who incite unrest under the guise of religion. “Once during an arson incident, I immediately ordered stopping the action and extracting video footage. In the footage, a person comes wearing a saffron towel and sets fire, but ‘Ya Allah’ comes out of his mouth. It is extremely necessary to identify such hidden enemies of society in time,” he said.
He further elaborated on government measures regarding Muharram processions. “Muharram comes just before Sawan. We decided that the height of tazias should be limited, so that trees don't have to be cut and wires don't have to be removed. It takes 40-50 years for a tree to grow. Earlier, Muharram processions used to cause arson. Daughters couldn't come out. When I warned not to carry tall tazias, there was no opposition on social media.”
On the second day of his Varanasi visit, CM Yogi participated in multiple events, including a sapling plantation drive at Basanta College and a tribute programme for tribal icon Birsa Munda. He also inspected the newly built Sowa Rigpa Medical College at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies campus in Sarnath, distributed relief materials to flood victims in Salarpur, and reviewed the development work at the Sangeet Pathway.
