Uttar Pradesh Congress chief sues Yogi Adityanath over alleged fish-feast slur

Ajay Rai, head of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, lodged a defamation case in Lucknow’s MP-MLA court, alleging that Yogi Adityanath’s statements about Rai attending a fish feast have hurt his religious faith. Rai emphasized his vegetarianism and challenged the chief minister to present any evidence of him eating fish, offering to retire from politics if such proof emerged. He explained his presence at the event was out of respect for the Nishad community, whose livelihood centers on fish.

The controversy intensified after a video showing fish being prepared at a Congress function in Ayodhya circulated on social media during Shravan, a month when many Hindus avoid non-vegetarian food. Yogi had previously criticised Rai for “duplicity,” accusing him of praying at Hanuman Garhi and then partaking in a fish meal. Rai also rejected accusations linking him to mafia figures, citing a long legal battle following his brother Awadhesh Rai’s murder. He urged the state government to focus on broader issues such as law and order, unemployment and women’s safety instead of personal attacks.