Religion cannot define basis of a nation: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asserted that no religion can define the basis of a nation.

Addressing a gathering here organised to mark the 48th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijaynath and third anniversary of Mahant Avaidyanath and Mahant Digvijaynath, the chief priests of the Gorakhnathpeeth, Adityanath said that basis of a nation can only be its culture.

"People question if a cult veneration or a religion can be a basis of a nation. According to me, the entire thought is a myth. If a religion establishes the basis of a nation, then Pakistan which was constituted at the time of independence would not have witnessed a split in 1971 where the nation was divided into two countries," said Adityanath.

"The way the ISIS is brewing terrorism and unrest across the world substantiates the fact that no religion can define the basis of a religion. The only basis of a national can be its culture," he added.

Yesterday, on the first day of the event, Aditynath professed for unity.

Quoting Ramayana, he said Ravana was defeated because his brother (Vibhishan) was not with him, while Ram won because Lakshman stood by him.

"We will meet the fate of Ravana if we are divided on the basis of caste, but will be victorious like Rama if we stay united," Adityanath said.