'Caste rigidity divides society, shared faith weave it into single thread': CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said caste-based divisions weaken society, while shared religious beliefs and cultural traditions foster unity. He cited Ayodhya's Deepotsav celebrations as a significant example of social cohesion.

In a post on X, CM Yogi said successive governments before 2017 had focused their politics on caste divisions and failed to recognise the unifying power of the state's cultural heritage.

"Caste rigidity divides society, while shared faith and culture weave it into a single thread. Shri Ayodhya ji's Deepotsav is a vibrant example of this social unity. Before 2017, governments that made caste divisions the basis of politics completely ignored this cultural force that unites society," he said.

The Chief Minister said the BJP-led government adopted a different approach after coming to power in 2017, introducing Deepotsav to showcase Ayodhya's cultural heritage and turn the celebrations in the holy city, also known as Ram Nagari, into an inclusive event bringing together people from all sections of society.

"Under the guidance of revered saints and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, religious leaders, students, sanitation workers, potters and traders today participate in this event with equal enthusiasm and devotion," he said.

Emphasising the inclusive nature of the celebrations, CM Yogi said participation, rather than caste, defines people's identity during the festival.

"Here, identity is not determined by caste, but by participation. Lamps are lit by different hands, but their light unites the entire society. This is the message of Deepotsav. This is the vision of a harmonious society," he added.

In a separate post on X, the Chief Minister criticised the previous Uttar Pradesh government, alleging that its focus on family interests had led it to neglect the difficulties faced by economically disadvantaged households, particularly women.

"When the government's priority is its own family, the suffering of poor families becomes obscured by the policies of the administration. In the previous government in Uttar Pradesh, the situation was similar. Amid the politics of familism, millions of mothers and sisters were compelled to spend their lives in smoke-filled kitchens," he said.

Highlighting the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Yogi said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had placed public welfare at the forefront by providing clean cooking fuel to economically weaker households, thereby improving women's health, convenience and dignity.

He also announced that LPG refill subsidies amounting to Rs 1,500 crore would be disbursed to more than 1.89 crore eligible families in Uttar Pradesh at an event in Lucknow on the occasion of Diwali.

The Chief Minister said the government was committed to ensuring that financial constraints did not force poor households to return to traditional, smoke-emitting chulhas.

He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his support towards women and disadvantaged families and extended advance Diwali wishes to women across the state.

With IANS inputs...