Varanasi: The Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti (AKSS) has asked Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, to apologise for calling saints "chillumjeevi" (those who smoke tobacco and cannabis in earthen pipes) and "ek rang wale" (people of one particular colour). Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, the AKSS's national general secretary, asked Akhilesh to either apologise or face the wrath of the saints.

Akhilesh had reportedly referred to saints as 'chillumjeevi' and 'ek rang wale' during the fourth round of his 'Vijay Yatra' on Purvanchal Expressway in Ghazipur on Wednesday.

"In his attempt to undermine the BJP and its leadership, the SP head has insulted the saffron-clad seers and their brotherhood instead," Swami Jitendranand stated. In light of the SP chief's statement, the Swami also defended Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"Yogi Adityanath is the head of one of Sanatan Dharma's Goraksh peeth, which has been revered and honoured from ancient times. Nobody has the right to criticise him for political reasons or simply because he is the chief minister "Swami Jitendranand said. "The SP chief should apologise immediately for the remarks and refrain from dragging seers into the political battlefield for petty electoral goals," he added. He warned that the saints will soon launch a campaign against the leaders of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress for using the seers' community for political benefit.

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