Political storm over Ayodhya fish feast
A feast organised during a Congress event in Ayodhya has triggered a political confrontation, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accusing state Congress president Ajay Rai of "duplicity" and Rai challenging the Chief Minister to prove his allegations or resign.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing fish being prepared at a banquet hall in Ayodhya, where a welcome programme was organised for Rai. The event, held during the holy month of Sawan, drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders and religious figures, who objected to non-vegetarian food being prepared in the city considered sacred by Hindus.
Speaking at a gathering in Raebareli, Yogi criticised Rai for offering prayers at Hanumangarhi temple and then attending the feast. "You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside — anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display," Yogi said, as reported by multiple outlets.
He further said, "Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is — chanting 'Ram-Ram' inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out."
Rai's challenge and defence
Ajay Rai rejected the allegations and challenged Yogi to produce photographic evidence of him eating fish. "The CM is criticising; does the CM have any photos? If he can produce any pictures, I will be ready to resign immediately," Rai said, according to ANI. He later said, "If he can prove what he claims, I will resign from my politics else he should resign."
Rai said he attended the event because the Nishad community had invited him. "Nishad Samaj invited me to a programme in Ayodhya yesterday. If they were getting fish prepared there, it would be their concern. I attended the program and returned," he said.
He explained that the gathering was linked to the traditional livelihood of the Nishad community. "Fishing, selling fish and eating fish are part of their traditional livelihood. They are the sons of the river," Rai said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Rai also displayed his Janeu, the sacred thread worn by many Hindus, while questioning the BJP's claims about religious identity. He accused BJP leaders of using religious symbols to mislead people, saying, "These people just wear orange clothes to cheat people," in remarks reported by Lokmat Times.
He defended the event organised by Ram Nihal Nishad, who recently switched from BJP to Congress, saying it was a felicitation programme. "Ram Nihal Nishad had organised a felicitation programme there. Now what are they making, what are they serving? And that dish is an integral part of the Nishad community," Rai told IANS.
Rai questioned where the evidence was that his presence at the event amounted to a violation of Sanatan traditions, and demanded that Yogi resign if he failed to provide proof.
BJP leaders weigh in
Several BJP leaders condemned the event. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "It is very sad. Ayodhya Dham is our holy site. It is the abode of Lord Ram Lalla, and to have this kind of feast there, and that too in the month of Sawan, reflects the culture of the Congress," according to Lokmat Times.
UP Minister Sanjay Nishad questioned the Congress while referring to the Nishad community's traditions. "They will go to temples and also eat fish. We are saying that everyone is a Nishad. They are poor and displaced. Eating fish is their tradition; they eat fish all the time. The issue is why Nishads are poor and why they are uneducated," he said.
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo called the event an insult to religious sentiments, referencing an affidavit that said Lord Ram was imaginary. "During the auspicious month of Sawan, if someone consumes fish, it reflects their mindset," Shahdeo said, and challenged Congress to consume restricted items at Mecca and Medina if they had the courage.
UP BJP president Pankaj Choudhary termed the alleged fish feast "highly condemnable and unforgivable" and accused Congress of undermining Hindu beliefs and Sanatan faith, as reported by The Times of India.
Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary also criticised Congress on X, saying it had struck at the religious beliefs of Hindu society, according to India Today.
Om Prakash Rajbhar, a UP cabinet minister from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, said, "If a fish feast is held during the month of Sawan, that is way too much," in comments reported by Hindustan Times.
Congress's counter-offensive
Congress leaders defended the event and accused the BJP and RSS of trying to dictate personal choices. Pawan Khera said, "Such issues are raised so that important issues like paper leaks are not raised," and referred to the "theft of donations" in Ayodhya, asking whether "Maach-Bhaat" could make people forget about it. He also questioned, "even if he were not [vegetarian], what is wrong with it?", as reported by Moneycontrol.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput accused the BJP of insulting the Nishad community, citing Nishad Raj as a friend of Lord Ram. He said the feast was part of the community's traditions and hospitality, according to Lokmat Times.
Minister's 'vegetarian fish' remark adds twist
The controversy took a new turn when Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar backed his colleague Sanjay Nishad's contention that fish prepared without garlic and onion could be considered vegetarian. Rajbhar asked Congress to clarify whether the fish at its Ayodhya event was cooked with garlic and onion or without them. "Sanjay Nishad is an expert on fish, he has more knowledge, we know less," Rajbhar said, according to The Times of India.
Sanjay Nishad, who heads the Nishad Party, had earlier claimed that fish prepared without garlic and onion was vegetarian, a remark that has widened the debate over food practices during Sawan.