Yogi Adityanath Says Deoband Has Moved From ‘Fatwa Culture’ to Development and Modern Infrastructure

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a sharp attack on previous governments, accusing them of practising “appeasement politics” and allowing western Uttar Pradesh to slip into an atmosphere of riots, fear and instability during earlier years.

Addressing a public function in Saharanpur district, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 325 development projects worth around ₹2,131 crore,

Adityanath said the region, especially Deoband, has undergone a major transformation under the current government.

Speaking before a large gathering, the Chief Minister said that during the years between 2013 and 2016, Saharanpur and nearby districts had become known for communal tensions, violence and social unrest.

“During those years, Saharanpur was identified with riots, fatwas and migration. Traders lived in fear, and even small matters would become subjects of fatwas from Deoband,” he said.

Referring to incidents such as the 2016 anti-Sikh violence and earlier communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, Adityanath said western Uttar Pradesh had witnessed a period of instability while ordinary people struggled without support.

“At that time, the entire region was burning, but nobody was willing to listen to the suffering of common people,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister also accused certain groups of remaining silent whenever “Sanatan culture” was targeted, while simultaneously encouraging what he described as “fatwa culture” and protecting criminals and mafias.

Praising local BJP MLA and Minister of State Kunwar Brijesh Singh, Adityanath said the government acted quickly on his proposal to establish an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) centre in the region.

He said the ATS unit now continuously monitors activities in the area to ensure security and prevent anti-national elements from operating.

“Our ATS commandos are constantly on alert. Anyone trying to disturb peace, compromise national security or mislead the youth will have to face strict action,” he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that Saharanpur is now increasingly being recognised for infrastructure growth, investment and connectivity rather than the controversies that once surrounded the region.

He highlighted several ongoing and proposed projects, including the redevelopment of Maa Shakambhari Devi Temple, the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, the proposed Ganga Expressway, a planned airport, smart city initiatives, sports infrastructure and industrial-logistics hubs.

“A new stream of development is flowing through Saharanpur today,” Adityanath said, adding that the district is contributing to both the economy of Uttar Pradesh and the growth of the country.

During his address, the Chief Minister also spoke about nationalism and respect for national symbols.

He said insulting “Vande Mataram” has now been categorised as a cognizable offence and warned against activities that insult the country or damage public property.

“It cannot be accepted that someone lives in India, benefits from this country and yet praises enemies of the nation,” he said, urging people to remain vigilant against divisive politics and acts that harm national unity.

Targeting opposition parties once again, Adityanath claimed that the state had shifted from what he called “appeasement politics” to “politics of satisfaction,” where government resources are being used for development-oriented projects instead of caste or community-based considerations.

He alleged that earlier governments spent public money on activities linked to appeasement and encroachments, whereas the current administration is focusing on roads, universities, expressways, sports colleges and religious tourism projects.

At the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated 184 development projects worth around ₹500 crore and laid the foundation stone for 141 additional projects valued at approximately ₹1,631 crore.