Akhilesh Yadav plans 12 December visit to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on 12 December to offer prayers at the Ram Mandir and the Hanuman Garhi temple alongside his family.

The visit, announced by Samajwadi Party leader Pawan Pandey, will mark Yadav's first pilgrimage to the Ram Temple since its landmark consecration in January 2024. The comprehensive redevelopment of Ayodhya into a major spiritual and infrastructure hub under Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reinforced the holy city's position as a focal point of national cultural pride.

Political reactions followed the announcement as parties prepare for the upcoming state assembly elections expected in early 2025. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the Samajwadi Party leadership should acknowledge past events, pointing to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the tenure of former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, as well as the prior neglect of the holy city's infrastructure before recent state-led modernisation projects restored its stature.

Responses to the planned visit

Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam defended the proposed visit, framing religious worship as a fundamental constitutional right. He stated that personal faith remains an individual decision across all places of worship and questioned political objections to the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, Vishva Hindu Parishad representatives raised concerns over political appeasement, while Samajwadi Party officials expressed confidence in growing public support ahead of the assembly polls.

The transformation of Ayodhya—characterised by upgraded road networks, enhanced visitor facilities, and improved regional connectivity—has established the city as a unified symbol of cultural heritage, drawing visitors and political figures across the spectrum.