Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday delivered a forceful and ideologically charged address at a religious congregation of the Nath Sect in Sonipat, Haryana, issuing a stern warning against what he described as deliberate attempts to weaken Sanatan Dharma under the guise of religion.

Speaking before saints and followers, Yogi Adityanath said that India’s ancient traditions were facing a calculated challenge and urged the community to remain united and alert. “Dharm ki aad mein Sanatan ko kamzor karne ki koshish ki ja rahi hai,” the Chief Minister said, alleging that confusion is being spread to dilute eternal values.

Emphasising the spiritual hierarchy within Indian traditions, Yogi asserted that for saints and monks, faith and duty come before everything else. “For a sanyasi, dharma is supreme,” he said, calling upon religious leaders to act as guardians of tradition and truth.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid a growing controversy linked to the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj, where the Mela administration recently issued a second show-cause notice to Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati over alleged violations of administrative norms. The episode has sparked debate over the relationship between religious authority and state administration.

During his speech, Yogi Adityanath also reflected on the austere life of a true monk, rejecting materialism as incompatible with sainthood. “Sanyasi ki koi vyaktigat sampatti nahi hoti,” he said, explaining that sacrifice, service, and renunciation define the spiritual path, not ownership or personal wealth.

Linking spirituality with nationalism, the Chief Minister underscored that devotion to the nation is integral to the identity of a sanyasi. “Rashtra hi sanyasi ka swabhimaan hai… kisi ko parampara ko baadhit karne ka adhikar nahi,” he declared, stressing that no individual or group has the right to undermine India’s cultural heritage.

Concluding his address with a note of caution, Yogi Adityanath warned against individuals he accused of maligning Sanatan Dharma for personal or ideological motives. “Bahut se kaalnemi Sanatan ko badnaam kar rahe hain, humein aise logon se satark rehna hoga,” he said, urging people to stay away from misinformation and divisive narratives.