The moment BJP high command headed by PM Modi and president Amit Shah, designated Yogi Adityanath, five time MP from Gorakhpur as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, not only opposition parties, so called pseudo secularists and analysts expressed doubts on Yogi Adityanath.
They questioned how could Yogi Adityanath who made controversial statements against muslims become CM of the India's largest state Uttar Pradesh. Some muslim organisations too expressed fears on Yogi becoming the CM of the state.
Now the question is do muslims really hate yogi. Yes many muslims are having doubts on Yogi Adityanath's credentials going by the past records. BJP however say one shouldn't look at his statements but should look under what context he made those statements.
Some even say Yogi should be given a chance to prove himself. In the meantime surprisingly muslims have taken a rally celebrating Yogi's elevation to the top post and also supported him in Gorakhpur.
Yasin Ansari, for the past 35 years has supervised the construction work inside and also managed the accounts of the temple expenditure. He says "I have very cordial relation with Chhote Maharaj+(as Yogi is referred to in the monastery). Whenever he's here, he calls me and takes all information about work. I move freely in his living quarters, from the kitchen to his bedroom, and also take my meals with him."
He shared "I have seen him help the poor irrespective of their religion or caste. Maharaj always participates in my family marriage functions." He added " A number of shops in the temple precincts are run by Muslims."
Azizunnisa said "For the last 35 years, I've been running a shop at the temple. I've never felt any disrespect or discrimination on the part of Yogiji. He's a real saint,". Mohammad Mutaqim who is running a bangle shop in the temple for the last 20 years says "There are any more Muslim families inside the temple who earn and live fearlessly,"
Yasin shares "My mother-in-law, Hamida Begum, was supervisor of the kitchen and my father-in-law was a gardener. I was the temple cashier from 1977-83. Since 1984, I've been the temple's construction supervisor," His father's elder brother had come to the temple during the priesthood of Mahant Digvijaynath, and the temple kitchen was his responsibility.
Nisar Ahmad, was the first engineer of Gorakhnath temple and he went on to become the the principal of Maharana Pratap Polytechnic. He shared "I was the engineer at the temple. Sadhna Bhawan, Yatri Niwas, Hindu Sevashram, shops of the temple, new building of Gorakhnath hospital, Sanskriti Vidyalaya, Radha Krishna Mandir, Shankar Mandir, Vishnu Mandir, Hanuman Mandir and many other temples associated with Gorakhnath temple were constructed on my designs. Now, I have retired."
Maan Mohammad, says "Earlier, my father took care of the cows. Now I'm doing the work. I wake up at 3am, milk the cows and give them fodder. Chhote Maharaj takes care of all us," There are 400 cows in the temple and Mohammad takes care of them. He said Adityanath was paying for his father's treatment.
Mohammed Kaleem Farooqi a trader in Gorakhpur says “We welcome the move to make Yogi CM of UP. It seems now that some good change will come to Gorakhpur and the state as a whole. The government is not the government of a particular person. We all have elected the government and feel it will ensure the state's development.”
Inside talk is no one will return empty handed at the Junta Darbar organised by Yogi Adityanath. Chaudhary Kaiful Waraq who came to seek a recommendation for inclusion of his name in the government quota for Haj pilgrims says “Whoever comes here gets his work done. Some time ago, we had come here seeking resolution of a dispute over some land belonging to a mosque, which was being encroached upon. It was resolved by Maharaj.”
In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, muslims in Maanvela village volunteered to offer their land for PM Modi's rally out of their love for Adityanath. Buzz is Yogi had helped Muslims in the area get their dues for the land acquired by the Gorakhpur Development Authority.
Syed Amed, a garment trader says "This is something we wanted from our heart. Now wherever we go, we will feel proud because we belong to CM's city." Irfan Ahmad, a member of the BJP Alpsankhyak Morcha says “He has become chief minister, we don't want anything more as he knows our problems and will do everything to solve them. Today I will also play Holi with Yogi colour."
