Uttar Pradesh leaders clash over alleged fish banquet at Congress welcome event

A political flare-up unfolded in Ayodhya after a video revealed fish being cooked at a banquet hall where the Congress party held a welcome function for its newly appointed state chief Ajay Rai, despite the event occurring in the sacred month of Sawan. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath criticized Rai for what he described as contradictory behavior, accusing him of offering prayers at Hanumangarhi before indulging in a fish feast, and likened the conduct to a chameleon’s shame.

BJP MLA Ved Prakash Gupta added that serving fish during Sawan reflected an anti-Hindu stance, and state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary called the episode unforgivable, demanding a public apology. Rai responded by denying involvement in the food arrangements, stating the program was hosted by members of the Nishad community, whose diet traditionally includes fish, and urged the chief minister to provide photographic proof.

Congress MP Pawan Khera framed the controversy as a tactic to distract from other matters such as alleged donation theft in Ayodhya, noting that Rai is a vegetarian and questioning the relevance of the fish issue. The dispute highlights ongoing religious and cultural tensions between the BJP and Congress in the region.