Shivaji Maharaj, not Mughals, associated with Agra legacy: Yogi

AGRA Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday asserted that Agra’s identity is rooted in Brajbhoomi, Vrindavan Bihari Lal and Radha Rani, not the Mughals, emphasizing that if the city is to be linked with any historical figure, it should be Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The CM attended the Janpadiya Vikas Utsav in Agra, celebrating eight years of his government. Showcasing UP’s progress under the pillars of service, security, and good governance, he highlighted key developmental achievements. Adityanath also inaugurated and laid foundation stone of 128 projects worth ₹635 crore in the city.

Adityanath criticized the previous government for naming a museum in Agra after the Mughals. Questioning the relevance of such a decision, he asked, “What connection do the Mughals have with Agra?” He highlighted that his government renamed the museum after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is now advancing plans for a grand memorial in his honour.

In his address at GIC ground, the CM said UP scaled new heights of development in the last 8 years, which were years of excellence when it came to governance, which changed the state.

Emphasizing the balanced approach of the double-engine government, he said that heritage and development are being given equal priority.

“We have encouraged Agra’s renowned Petha business, leather industries and efforts are underway to bring Bateshwar, the paternal village of former Prime Minister late AB Vajpayee, on to the global stage,” he added.

Lashing out at the Samajwadi Party government before 2017, Adityanath reminded people of “the anarchy that once plagued UP”. He said those above the age of 25 would recall the lawlessness of that era — where crime, mafia rule, and hooliganism were rampant.

“The youth faced an identity crisis, farmers were driven to suicide, the poor suffered from hunger, and both traders and women lived in fear. Concerns over potential riots and curfews overshadowed festivals,” he said.

The CM also accused the opposition of obstructing development and misleading the public. Referring to the Covid crisis, he said while the government was battling the pandemic under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the opposition was busy fighting against the government.

“They told people not to get tested, not to seek treatment, not to take the vaccine. In contrast, the double-engine government safeguarded the people by providing free tests, treatment, vaccines, and rations,” he said.

He slammed the opposition for opposing the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and stated that opposition was sulking when Ram Lalla was consecrated in Ayodhya after 500 years. “Congress and SP attempted to mislead the public while the entire world rejoiced,” said Adityanath.

The CM credited the double-engine government for implementing several initiatives benefiting farmers, youth and the underprivileged. He noted that while farmers once struggled to the point of suicide, his government waived loans for small and marginal farmers.

“Over 2.62 crore farmers have received ₹80,000 crore under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, and ₹2,80,000 crore has been transferred directly to sugarcane farmers. As a result, UP’s Annadaata (food providers) are now self-reliant and actively contributing to the state’s progress,” he said.

The CM emphasized that his government provided over 8.30 lakh youth with government jobs, with 12,000 women recruited in the recent 60,000-strong police force expansion. He said, “The MSME sector has also generated numerous employment opportunities.”

Highlighting the state’s infrastructure boom, the CM pointed out that UP now leads in expressways, Metro networks, railway connectivity, highways, and airports.

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Beneficiaries of govt

schemes feted, tabs

distributed to students

During the event, the CM honoured beneficiaries of various government schemes, distributed tablets to students under the Swami Vivekananda Scheme and gave appointment letters to newly recruited anganwadi workers. He also recognized key investors, including Puran Dabur, who invested ₹170 crore in Govardhan Resort.

He highlighted key advancements, stating that the Ganga water supply has begun, the city has received a metro, and the civil terminal construction is in its final stages. Agra is being reshaped with initiatives such as Har Ghar Nal Yojana, enhanced village-to-village connectivity, and the construction of ring roads, highways, and flyovers.

The CM underscored the government’s commitment to uplifting the poor by speaking about the Garib Kalyan Yojana. He said 4 crore people in UP have been provided with housing, 15 crore have received free rations, 1.86 crore have benefited from Ujjwala connections, and 10 crore individuals have been covered under ₹5 lakh health insurance through Ayushman Bharat.

Adityanath emphasized that the past eight years have propelled both Agra and UP to unprecedented heights of development. He called these years a period of historic progress, citing the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Vindhyavasini Dham, and the Naimisharanya Corridor. He also announced the upcoming grand corridor of Bihari Lal in Mathura-Vrindavan.