Akhilesh Yadav says ‘Shivling’ under UP CM Yogi’s residence; BJP hits back

In a jibe directed at the BJP, Akhilesh calls for the excavation of ‘Shivling’ under the CM’s residence

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has stirred controversy by claiming the presence of a ‘Shivling‘—a cylindrical idol symbolizing the Hindu god Shiva—beneath the official residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. His remarks come amidst ongoing debates over excavation projects in the state, including a controversial survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal district.

Akhilesh Yadav’s statement

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for conducting excavations across the state, accusing it of using such projects to distract from governance failures.

“We believe there is a ‘Shivling’ under the chief minister’s residence too. Excavation should also be done there,” Yadav said.

He further alleged that the government was demolishing houses of innocent people under the guise of development, calling such actions “destruction, not development.”

“There is no line of development in the hands of the chief minister, only a line of destruction,” Yadav remarked.

BJP’s response

The BJP dismissed Yadav’s allegations as politically motivated. Party spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi questioned Yadav’s opposition to the excavation in Sambhal, referencing a 2013 excavation initiative during Yadav’s tenure as chief minister to search for 1,000 tonnes of gold.

“He is ready to excavate for gold but has a problem with a ‘Shivling.’ That’s why he’s talking about digging the chief minister’s residence,” Tripathi told PTI.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also criticized the Samajwadi Party for what he called “mocking the ‘Shivling’ to cater to vote bank politics,” labeling the remarks “shameless.”

Excavation in Sambhal

The controversy coincides with the ongoing excavation and renovation of an ancient well, “Mrityu Kup” (well of death), in the Kot Purvi area of Sambhal district. Local authorities have stated that the well, which had been abandoned and filled with debris, is being restored.

Locals regard the well as a sacred site where devotees believe bathing can lead to salvation. However, its proximity to the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid—where a court-ordered survey last month led to deadly clashes—has heightened tensions.

The mosque survey, ordered by a local court following a petition claiming the site was once a Harihar Temple, resulted in violence that left four people dead. In the aftermath, internet services were suspended in Sambhal to prevent further unrest.

The dispute over excavations in Uttar Pradesh has become a flashpoint for political and religious tensions. Akhilesh Yadav’s statements and the BJP’s rebuttals reflect the broader conflict between the ruling party and the opposition, with historical and cultural narratives becoming central to the ongoing debate.

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