Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), April 11 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday described Pakistan as a "sinful" nation and said that it would "further disintegrate."
Speaking at an event in Miyanpur, where he distributed land ownership certificates to Hindu families displaced from Bangladesh, the chief minister said that the village would be renamed Ravindra Nagar, in honor of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
"This sinful Pakistan divided India, and then Pakistan itself got divided. It is going to disintegrate further. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians living there were punished because there is no place for any other religion here."
"Today, I am proud to distribute land rights to over 1,000 families who were displaced in 1947 and 1971 during the partition and subsequent tragedies, and have settled here for years," Adityanath said.
He said land rights were being transferred to Bengali "friends," alleging that "demons" had usurped the land and property of those displaced from Bangladesh.
He also laid the foundation stone for 213 projects worth Rs 417 crore across the Lakhimpur, Dhaurahra, and Mohammadi assembly constituencies.
The chief minister distributed land ownership certificates to 331 Hindu families displaced from Bangladesh, saying, "Today, you have the ownership of that land on which you settled decades ago. I have come here to fulfill that dream on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This reflects his 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas' mantra."
Attacking the Congress, he said, "They continued to take your votes, but never gave you ownership rights. To hide your identity, they named this village Miyanpur. Just think, there is not even a single 'miyaan', yet the name was Miyanpur. Now this village, where our friends from Bangladesh have come, will be renamed Ravindra Nagar. Your identity will be linked to Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of the National Anthem."
He described Bengal as a "spiritual and heritage" land of India and noted that this year marks the 150th anniversary of "Vande Mataram," written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
Referring to the partition, he said, "Why did the tragedy of 1947 occur? It happened because we were divided and fragmented. Even today, anyone who sows discord along caste lines and weakens the social fabric is committing a grave sin. There can be no greater betrayal of the nation. Such people are betraying the country and the trust of future generations."
He also spoke about the condition of minorities in Bangladesh, saying, "When a Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist or Jain is persecuted in Bangladesh, their hope is India. They look to India for justice and support."
Striking an emotional note, Adityanath said displaced families carried "broken dreams and deep anguish" when they crossed the border, leaving behind loved ones and facing uncertainty.
"You did not leave by choice. You were forced out when others took control of your homes. Yet, there was hope that in India, you would find a home and dignity. Neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan accepted you because you were Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi. It was India that opened its arms and welcomed you," he said.
Highlighting what he described as "tolerance" of Hindu society, he added, "When you came here, no one asked your caste, sect or creed. You were embraced and accepted."
He said the process had begun to grant ownership of 542 hectares of land to around 1,031 displaced Hindu and Sikh families in Lakhimpur Kheri, Gola Gokarannath, Dhaurahra, and Mohammadi. Across four districts – Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Rampur, and Bijnor – about 65,000 displaced families from Bangladesh reside, and the government is committed to granting them ownership rights.
Beneficiaries have also been provided with housing, toilets, electricity, and tap water connections under government schemes.
"Projects worth Rs 417 crore were inaugurated today, while in February 2025, projects worth Rs 1,622 crore were undertaken. Lakhimpur is the largest agricultural district in the state and symbolically known as 'Lakshmipur,' representing prosperity.
"A corridor is being developed in Gola Gokarannath on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, with 65 per cent work completed, which will boost tourism and employment," he said.
He said the previous governments in the state were known for crime, riots, and disorder, while the current dispensation focuses on development and law and order.
Instead of 'one district, one mafia,' the state now represents 'one district, one medical college,' he said, adding that a medical college has been built in Lakhimpur.
A grand corridor is under development in Gola Gokarannath, airport construction is progressing, and Dudhwa National Park is boosting tourism. Work is also ongoing for a permanent solution to floods, he said.
"Financial support is being provided to promote the rare Ketaki flower grown in the region. The fertile land here produces mentha, sugarcane, paddy, and wheat. Following recent excessive rainfall and hailstorms, instructions have been given for surveys and compensation," he said.
He said financial assistance would be provided within 24 hours in case of loss of life, with immediate compensation for livestock loss, relief for crop damage through mandi committees, and housing support under the chief minister's scheme if homes are destroyed.