Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Yogi Adityanath Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Manusmriti, Fish Row
Rahul Gandhi spoke to students about equality and criticized what he called the “Manusmriti mindset.”
He asked students to oppose patriarchy, which means unfair treatment based on gender.
Yogi Adityanath said Gandhi’s comments insulted India’s traditions and heritage.
He demanded that Gandhi apologise.
Adityanath also accused Congress leader Ajay Rai of eating fish after visiting temples in Ayodhya.
The accusation followed a video that reportedly showed fish being cooked at a Nishad community meeting.
Rai said he did not eat fish and asked Adityanath to show proof.
The arguments are happening before Uttar Pradesh’s 2027 Assembly elections.
Yogi Adityanath accused Rahul Gandhi of denigrating India’s traditions and heritage through his criticism of the “Manusmriti mindset.”
Gandhi urged students in Pune to “smash patriarchy” and said women belonged to themselves, not their male relatives.
The BJP criticized a purported video showing fish being cooked at a Nishad community event attended by Congress leaders in Ayodhya.
Congress leader Ajay Rai denied eating fish and challenged Adityanath to provide photographic or video evidence.
The disputes come as the BJP and Congress prepare for political contests ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Yogi Adityanath, Ajay Rai, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress.
- What
- A political dispute over Gandhi’s Manusmriti remarks and allegations about fish being cooked at a Nishad community event.
- When
- Gandhi spoke in Pune on Saturday; the fish-related event was reported to have occurred on Sunday, during Sawan.
- Where
- Gandhi spoke in Pune; the disputed event took place in Tarun, near Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh; Adityanath made the allegations in Raebareli.
- Why
- The BJP said Gandhi’s remarks and the alleged fish event offended India’s traditions and religious sentiments, while Congress defended Gandhi’s comments and Rai challenged the allegation.
Congress Position
BJP and Yogi Adityanath’s Position
Manusmriti remarks
Congress Position
Congress presented Gandhi’s comments as criticism of patriarchy and a call for greater equality, including the view that women belong to themselves.
BJP and Yogi Adityanath’s Position
Adityanath said Gandhi had denounced India’s traditions and heritage and demanded an apology.
Fish allegation
Congress Position
Rai denied eating fish or being present where it was cooked and demanded evidence; Congress defended the community’s dietary choices as a constitutional right.
BJP and Yogi Adityanath’s Position
The BJP accused Rai of participating in a fish feast after visiting temples and said the event insulted Ayodhya’s religious sentiments.
Political responsibility
Congress Position
Rai said Adityanath should resign if he could not prove the allegation, while offering to resign and apologise if it was proven.
BJP and Yogi Adityanath’s Position
Adityanath argued that Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, should play a positive role and not encourage forces he described as anti-national.
- Gandhi’s remarks
- He urged students to “smash patriarchy” and break free from the “Manusmriti mindset.”
- Adityanath’s demand
- The Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded that Gandhi apologise for his remarks.
- Disputed event
- A purported video allegedly showed fish being cooked at a Nishad community programme attended by Congress leaders.
- Rai’s response
- Ajay Rai denied eating fish and challenged Adityanath to produce photographic or video evidence.
- Temple-area restriction
- The state government has banned the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food within 15 kilometres of the Ram temple.
- Location discrepancy
- The event was described as being in Tarun, about 30 kilometres from Ayodhya, and the report said it was beyond the 15-kilometre restricted perimeter.
- Political context
- The Congress programme was part of outreach to the Nishad community ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
