For a Yogi, Saint or Ascetic, Nothing Is Greater Than Nation and Dharma: CM Yogi
Love jihad, illegal conversions and anti-national conspiracies will be firmly crushed, says Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister at Nath tradition event in Haryana
Sonipat/Lucknow, January 22: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi Adityanath on Thursday issued a strong warning against love jihad, illegal religious conversions and anti-national conspiracies, asserting that any form of exploitation of daughters will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Addressing the idol consecration ceremony and grand Asht Maan Bhandara of the Nath tradition at Baba Nagewala Dham in Murthal, Sonipat (Haryana), CM Yogi said that society must remain alert and united to defeat forces attempting to weaken the nation under the guise of religion.
He stated that for a Yogi, saint or ascetic, Dharma and the Nation are supreme, and this alone should be the purpose of life. “Such a person has no personal property—Dharma is his only wealth and the Nation his self-respect. If national honour is challenged, one must confront it openly,” he said.
The Chief Minister cautioned against individuals he referred to as modern-day ‘Kaalnemis’, who, he said, were harming Sanatan Dharma by misusing religious identity. He stressed that illegal religious conversions and conspiracies to alter demography would be dealt with decisively through strict action and public awareness. He called upon revered saints, conscious citizens and families to uphold strong cultural and moral values.
Recalling a 2009 Kerala High Court observation, CM Yogi said that love jihad had been described as a conspiracy, and similar patterns were now visible in several states. Expressing concern over the gradual breakdown of the joint family system, he emphasized its revival as essential for value-based social development.
He said that a strong nation is built on family values, cultural consciousness and Dharma, clarifying that Dharma is not merely a method of worship but a holistic path of progress encompassing material, spiritual and cultural upliftment. He described the Nath Panth as one of India’s most ancient spiritual traditions and the foundation of the country’s Sanatan heritage, praising the idol consecration and bhandara organized with reverence for the Guru tradition.
Welcoming saints, Yogis and devotees on behalf of the Nath sect and Yogi Sabha, CM Yogi said the Nath tradition has always inspired social unity, discipline and purposeful living.
Highlighting national progress, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” is becoming a reality. After centuries of foreign invasions, India has broken the chains of slavery and is reclaiming its civilizational glory. In the Amrit Kaal of Independence, the welfare of India and Sanatan Dharma are inseparably linked, he added.
He cited the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as symbols of India’s resurgence, noting that millions of devotees now visit Ayodhya and Prayagraj peacefully, with record participation in events like the Magh Mela.
CM Yogi also warned about the growing menace of drug trafficking, stating that hostile forces unable to confront India militarily attempt to weaken the nation by targeting its youth with narcotics. He urged collective resistance to such activities.
On environmental issues, he stressed the importance of water conservation, saying no one has the right to pollute sacred rivers and that ponds must be protected for future security. He also praised Haryana’s efforts toward reviving the Saraswati River.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister performed havan and aarti and was welcomed with an idol of Guru Gorakhnath. He expressed gratitude to the organizers and patrons for the successful event, which witnessed the presence of saints, public representatives and devotees from across the country.
The occasion also marked the idol consecration of Siddha Yogis Shri Shri 1008 Mahant Kale Baba Nath Ji, Yogi Bajir Nath Ji and Yogi Prem Nath Ji, along with the grand Asht Maan Bhandara, attended by a large number of saints of the Nath sect.