Congress corners Adityanath over 'Hindutava rashtra' remark

Accusing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of doing 'politics of polarization', the Congress on Friday said the problems prevailing in the nation cannot be resolved by declaring India a 'Hindutava rashtra.'

"I don't think problems like poverty and unemployment will reduce by declaring India a 'Hindutava Rashtra.' Yogi Adityanath should work on some concrete policy instead of playing around on sentimental issues. It seems like he is involving into politics of polarization by making such statements," Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam told ANI.

He further said that Adityanath should refrain from making such statements and focus on overall development of the Uttar Pradesh.

Echoing similar view, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, "According to the Constitution of India, our nation is secular. This is Yogi Adityanath's own view that he wants to make India a Hindutva rashtra but the fact is our Constitution is paramount."

Adityanath had earlier on Wednesday said, "If that rashtra (nation), or raasta (path), helps improve people's way of life, then we should not hesitate in adopting it."

The Chief Minister, who made this statement during his first televised interview as the Chief Minister to Doordarshan, cited the Supreme Court observation to defend his statement.

He pointed out that the apex court had also acknowledged Hindutva was a way of life.