State website has no mention of January 24 as foundation day; prominent leaders say the day is not celebrated in UP
State website has no mention of January 24 as foundation day; prominent leaders say the day is not celebrated in UP
Even as political parties try to woo the North Indian vote bank by celebrating Uttar Pradesh Diwas in the city today, MiD DAY has learnt that January 24 is not the foundation day of the state. Besides, no such day is officially celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, according to prominent leaders.
Ajay Upadhyay, additional secretary, information department, UP, told MiD DAY on phone, "We don't have a function for UP Diwas. But if people in Mumbai want to celebrate, they can."
Senior BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, who led the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation during the early '90s, said he is not aware of any such celebration in UP. "I have not heard of it," he said. Vageesh Saraswat, a North Indian and vice president, MNS, said, "I have enquired with all authorities in UP and they admitted that they don't celebrate any such day there. Why do North Indians have to celebrate it here? This is nothing, but an attempt to show their strength."
However, organisers here believe it's just a symbolic gesture and is not a political propaganda. Prem Shukla of Abhiyaan, an organisation that celebrates Uttar Pradesh Diwas in Santacruz every year, claims he has documents to prove that Uttar Pradesh Diwas is indeed on January 24. "We have been organising the function for the last 20 years on January 24. We aren't forcing or disputing other claims. Anyone can celebrate the day as per their wish," said Shukla.
Uday Pratap Singh, however, does not want to celebrate the day because of the terror attacks and the confusion about the date. Sachindra Tripathi, editor, Navbharat Times, said the event must be seen as a cultural event. "Organisers should see it as a event where people can come together," added Tripathi.
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