Adityanath likens inheritance tax to jizya levied on Hindus during Aurangzeb’s rule

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday likened the Congress “proposal” to impose an inheritance tax to the jizya levied on the Hindus during Aurangzeb’s rule, and also accused the party of encouraging cow slaughter.

He made the remarks at an election rally in Firozabad. He also held a roadshow in Mainpuri.

Addressing a public meeting in Firozabad in support of BJP candidate Rajveer Singh, Adityanath said the Congress' manifesto suggested granting minorities the freedom to consume food according to their preferences.

“The majority of Indians say that we do not eat beef, but some people deliberately encourage cow slaughter to irritate them,” he was quoted as saying according to a press statement issued in Lucknow.

A new version of the Congress-SP alliance has emerged, proposing the imposition of inheritance tax, Adityanath alleged likening this "proposal" to Aurangzeb's imposition of jizya tax on the Hindus.

The row over inheritance tax erupted after Sam Pitroda, chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, had spoken about inheritance tax in the US while delving into the issue of redistribution of wealth. The Congress, however, distanced itself from the remarks.

In Etah, Adityanath held a rally in support of BJP candidate Vishwadeep Singh. In the rally, he said that Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar opposed reservation on the basis of religion, yet the Congress is allegedly seeking to impose Taliban-like governance with the aim of "Islamising" India.