By Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday sharpened his attack on the Opposition over its criticism of unemployment and the education system, saying development depends on a government’s political will as well as its ability to respect people’s faith. Speaking at a government programme in Sant Kabir Nagar, he also questioned the claims being made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav about the country’s education and employment landscape.
Adityanath’s remarks came as both Opposition leaders have stepped up their focus on students, job opportunities and examination irregularities following recent protests in Delhi. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister sought to contrast the BJP government’s record since 2014 with the previous Congress-led era and argued that the expansion of educational institutions and skill-development programmes demonstrated a broader change in policy.
‘Faith and development cannot be separated’
At the event, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 201 development projects worth more than Rs 684 crore, Adityanath said a government that respects people’s faith can also deliver meaningful development.
He alleged that under earlier governments, students faced problems in receiving scholarships, development projects were affected by corruption and young people struggled with irregularities in recruitment. He said his government had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and wrongdoing affecting the future of young people.
Yogi cites expansion of IITs and IIMs
Responding to criticism from Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister pointed to the growth of higher education institutions since 2014.
He said the number of IITs had increased from 16 before 2014 to 23 under the Narendra Modi government, while IIMs had risen from 13 to 22. He also cited the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and said hundreds of skill-development centres are now operating across the country.
Adityanath questioned the Opposition leaders’ assessment of the government’s education policies and accused them of relying more on political rhetoric than available data.
He also highlighted the expansion of medical education, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh, citing medical colleges in places including Amethi, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur and Ayodhya as examples of infrastructure created through political decision-making.
Tough message on recruitment irregularities
The Chief Minister said protecting young people’s future remained a priority for his government. He claimed that recruitment processes under earlier administrations were affected by corruption and said his government would act firmly against anyone attempting to manipulate jobs or examinations.
He reiterated the state’s stated policy of zero tolerance towards such practices and warned that those found responsible would face strict legal action.
Yogi invokes Sant Kabir’s message
The programme also focused on the legacy of Sant Kabir, after whom Sant Kabir Nagar district is named. Adityanath said Kabir challenged social divisions, caste-based discrimination and religious hypocrisy and promoted a broader message of equality and human conduct.
Referring to Kabir’s association with Maghar, the Chief Minister said the saint rejected the belief that one’s place of death determined whether a person attained heaven or hell. Instead, he said Kabir emphasised that a person’s actions, conduct and contribution to society were what truly mattered.
Opposition continues focus on education and jobs
Adityanath’s comments come amid an intensified political debate over education, examinations and employment. Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP governments of weakening the education and examination system and failing to address the concerns of students.
Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a student outreach programme in Prayagraj, has also criticised unemployment, paper leaks, expensive education and limited job opportunities. He argued that students were increasingly caught between the rising cost of education and uncertainty over employment.
The competing narratives highlight a growing political focus on the youth, with the BJP government pointing to new institutions, infrastructure and skill programmes, while the Opposition continues to raise questions about recruitment, examination integrity and the availability of jobs.
