Archive · 24 Aug 2026
BJP, Congress Clash Over Ajay Rai’s Ayodhya Fish Feast
A political argument began after a video showed fish being cooked at a community event in Ayodhya.
The event happened during Shravan, a holy month when many Hindus avoid non-vegetarian food.
The article says non-vegetarian food is banned within 15 kilometres of the Ram Temple.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Congress leader Ajay Rai of eating at the feast.
Rai denied the claim and asked Adityanath to show proof.
Rai also said he is vegetarian.
Congress leaders said the Nishad community traditionally eats fish and should be free to choose its food.
BJP leaders said the feast was inappropriate because of Ayodhya’s religious importance.
The dispute comes before Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 Assembly elections.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Congress chief Ajay Rai of attending a fish feast in Ayodhya.
The event was held during Shravan, within the reported 15-kilometre non-vegetarian food restriction around the Ram Temple.
Rai said he is vegetarian and challenged Adityanath to provide evidence that he ate non-vegetarian food.
Congress leaders said the Nishad community’s traditional food choices should not be dictated by political parties.
BJP leaders called the event disrespectful to Ayodhya’s religious sentiments and questioned Congress’s conduct.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress state chief Ajay Rai, and leaders of the BJP and Congress.
- What
- A dispute over a fish feast at a Nishad community event and allegations about Ajay Rai’s participation.
- When
- The event took place on a Sunday during the Hindu holy month of Shravan, ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
- Where
- The event was held in Tarun, about 30 kilometres from Ayodhya, after Rai visited temples in Ayodhya.
- Why
- BJP leaders said the feast conflicted with Ayodhya’s religious norms, while Congress defended the Nishad community’s food traditions and Rai’s conduct.
Congress and Community Defense
BJP Criticism
Whether Ajay Rai ate fish
Congress and Community Defense
Ajay Rai said he is vegetarian and demanded evidence that he consumed non-vegetarian food.
BJP Criticism
Yogi Adityanath accused Rai of attending and enjoying the fish feast after visiting Ayodhya temples.
Food traditions and individual choice
Congress and Community Defense
Congress leaders said the Nishad community traditionally eats fish and that political organizations should not dictate what people cook or eat.
BJP Criticism
BJP leaders said holding such a feast in Ayodhya during Shravan was inappropriate and reflected poorly on Congress.
Meaning of Rai’s temple visit
Congress and Community Defense
Rai’s visit to Hanumangarhi and the Ram Temple was presented as compatible with attending a Nishad community event.
BJP Criticism
Adityanath described the temple visit followed by the feast as evidence of Congress double standards.
- Location
- Tarun, approximately 30 kilometres from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Community event
- A Nishad community meeting featuring a fish feast
- Religious context
- The event occurred during Shravan, also called Sawan
- Reported restriction
- Non-vegetarian food is described as banned within a 15-kilometre radius of the Ram Temple
- Accusation
- Yogi Adityanath alleged that Ajay Rai participated in the fish feast
- Response
- Ajay Rai challenged Adityanath to provide evidence and said he would resign from politics if the claim were proven
- Political timing
- The dispute comes less than a year before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections