NEW DELHI: The political row over an alleged “fish feast” at a Congress event in Ayodhya escalated on Tuesday, with Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai filing a defamation case against Yogi Adityanath, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks had “hurt his faith.”Rai approached the MP-MLA court in Lucknow, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks were baseless and had hurt his religious sentiments. He also denied eating fish or attending any such feast, saying he is a vegetarian.“We do not eat non-vegetarian food. The allegation of a fish feast against me is wrong. The chief minister’s statement has hurt my faith,” Rai told ANI.He said he had moved the court seeking legal action and challenged Adityanath to provide evidence to support the allegation. “Chief minister Yogi Adityanath should provide proof of the fish feast. That is why I have filed a defamation case,” Rai added.The remarks came days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on Rai over the alleged incident at an Ayodhya programme organised by members of the Nishad community.The controversy erupted after a video showing fish being prepared at the Congress event surfaced on social media during the month of Shravan, when many Hindus observe dietary restrictions.The event was held to welcome Rai, who had attended a programme organised by the Nishad community. The issue quickly became political, with the BJP targeting Rai over the alleged feast and the Congress rejecting the allegations.Addressing a gathering in Raebareli on August 24, Adityanath accused Rai of “duplicity” for visiting Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and later attending a programme where fish was allegedly served.“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside-anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display,” Adityanath said.“Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is-chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out,” he added.The chief minister also accused Rai of not standing up to mafia elements in the past and referred to the killing of his brother, former MLA Awadhesh Rai.“When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him,” he added.Rai had earlier challenged Adityanath to produce evidence of him eating fish. In an open letter to the chief minister on August 28, he said he was a vegetarian and would quit politics if proof was produced.
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“It is an immutable truth that I am a vegetarian. If you have any authenticated photograph or video of me eating fish, make it public. I will retire from politics,” Rai said.He said five days had passed since he issued the challenge but there had been no response. Rai also rejected Adityanath’s allegations about his alleged links with mafia elements, citing his nearly 32-year legal battle following the killing of his brother.He accused the state government of focusing on personal and provocative remarks instead of issues such as law and order, crimes against women and weaker sections, unemployment, inflation, farmers’ concerns, electricity supply, roads and alleged corruption.“My humble but clear advice is to stop making false and unsubstantiated statements and focus on the real problems of Uttar Pradesh,” Rai added.