Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Ajay Rai Files Defamation Case Against Yogi Over Fish Remarks
Ajay Rai is a Congress leader in Uttar Pradesh.
He filed a court case against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Rai says Yogi made false statements about him eating fish in Ayodhya.
He believes the statements could hurt his reputation.
The disagreement began after a video from an event welcoming Rai appeared online.
Some people said fish was being prepared for the event.
The event was reportedly held during Sawan and Ekadashi, which are important days for many Hindus.
Hindu seers and some political leaders criticised the alleged event, while Rai denied the claims.
The court will now be the place where Rai seeks a legal remedy.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai filed a defamation case against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Rai said allegations that he ate fish in Ayodhya were false, objectionable and damaging to his reputation.
The case was filed before a civil court in Lucknow on Tuesday.
The controversy followed a video showing preparations allegedly being made to serve fish at a welcome event for Rai in Ayodhya.
The video and claims that more than two quintals of fish had been arranged could not be independently verified.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai filed the case against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- What
- Rai filed a defamation claim over allegations that he ate fish in Ayodhya.
- When
- The case was filed on Tuesday; an ANI post associated with the report was dated September 1, 2026.
- Where
- The case was filed in a civil court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, concerning an event in Ayodhya.
- Why
- Rai said the allegations were false and could damage his social, political and public reputation.
Rai and Congress Position
Critics of the Alleged Event
Whether the allegations were true
Rai and Congress Position
Ajay Rai said the claims about his eating fish were false, objectionable and based on incorrect facts.
Critics of the Alleged Event
Critics referred to a video that they said showed preparations to serve fish at a welcome event for Rai, although the video and related claims were not independently verified.
Religious and political impact
Rai and Congress Position
Rai said the allegations were being used to portray him negatively and harm his public image.
Critics of the Alleged Event
Hindu seers and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said an alleged fish feast during Sawan and Ekadashi could hurt religious sentiments and demanded clarification or an apology.
- Complainant
- Ajay Rai, Uttar Pradesh Congress president and former minister
- Respondent
- Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh chief minister
- Case type
- Defamation case
- Court location
- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Disputed allegation
- That Rai ate fish during or around a visit to Ayodhya
- Event location
- A lawn in the Tarun area of Ayodhya
- Unverified claim
- Reports said more than two quintals of fish had been arranged, but the claim was not independently verified
