Yogi Adityanath
Yogi Adityanath (born Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht; 5 June 1972) is an Indian Hindu monk and politician serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh since 19 March 2017. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he is one of India’s most prominent political leaders and the first UP Chief Minister to serve two consecutive terms.[1]
| Yogi Adityanath | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 5 June 1972 (age 53) Panchur, Pauri Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.Sc. in Mathematics |
| Alma mater | Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University |
| Occupation | Politician, Hindu Monk |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Hindutva politics and strong law & order governance |
| Notable works | Formation of Hindu Yuva Vahini Ram Mandir Consecration |
| Awards | Listed among Top 5 Most Powerful Indians (2023–24) – The Indian Express |
| Parents | Anand Singh Bisht (father) Savitri Devi (mother) |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Known for his strong governance, emphasis on law and order, and promotion of Hindutva ideology, Yogi Adityanath has been consistently ranked among the most powerful political figures in India by *The Indian Express* (2023–24).
Early Life and Education
Yogi Adityanath was born on 5 June 1972 in Panchur village, Pauri Garhwal district (then part of Uttar Pradesh, now Uttarakhand), India. His father, Anand Singh Bisht, was a forest ranger, and his mother, Savitri Devi, was a homemaker.
Adityanath completed his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. Deeply influenced by Hindu nationalist ideas and spiritual teachings, he became involved in social work and religious causes from an early age.[2]
During his university years, he came in contact with Mahant Avaidyanath, the head priest of the Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur. Under Avaidyanath’s mentorship, he was initiated into monastic life and later succeeded him as the Mahant (head priest) of Gorakhnath Math in 2014.
Early Political Career
Yogi Adityanath entered politics in 1998 at the age of 26, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Gorakhpur constituency. He was among the youngest MPs in India at the time.
He retained the Gorakhpur seat in five consecutive Lok Sabha elections — 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014.
In 2002, he founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth organization in Eastern Uttar Pradesh dedicated to social service, cultural unity, and promoting Hindu causes.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
First Term (2017–2022)
After the BJP’s landslide victory in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as the 21st Chief Minister of the state. His first term focused on law enforcement, women’s safety, and infrastructure development.
Key initiatives included:
- Crackdown on organized crime and illegal encroachments
- Anti-Romeo squads for women’s safety
- Ban on illegal slaughterhouses
- ₹36,000 crore farmer loan waiver
- Launch of Purvanchal Expressway and Defence Industrial Corridor projects
His governance earned him the nickname “Bulldozer Baba” due to his administration’s use of bulldozers to demolish illegal properties linked to criminal networks.
Second Term (2022–Present)
In 2022, Yogi Adityanath made history by becoming the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to complete a full five-year term and be re-elected for a consecutive one. His second term has emphasized:
- Industrial investment and Global Investors Summit
- Infrastructure expansion — Ganga Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway
- Promotion of Ayodhya and Varanasi as global religious tourism centers
- Implementation of anti-conversion (Love Jihad) and population control policies
Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s top-performing states in industrial growth, infrastructure, and law enforcement.
Policies and Governance
Yogi Adityanath’s administration has introduced several impactful reforms and policies:
- **Uttar Pradesh Anti-Conversion Law (2020)** – Targeting forced religious conversions
- **Population Control Policy (2021–2030)** – Encouraging two-child norms
- **One District, One Product (ODOP)** – Boosting regional industry and employment
- **Crime Control and Policing Reforms** – Modernization of police force and women’s safety measures
- **Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor** – Strengthening India’s defence manufacturing capabilities
His policies have often drawn both praise for decisive governance and criticism for being ideologically assertive.
Achievements
- First UP CM to serve two consecutive terms
- Longest-serving Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
- Led law and order reforms that significantly reduced organized crime
- Oversaw the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) in Ayodhya, 2024
- Ranked among the Top 5 Most Powerful Indians (2023–24) – *The Indian Express*
In Popular Culture
A biographical film titled Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi is set for release on 1 August 2025. The movie chronicles his journey from a monk to a political leader and is based on Shantanu Gupta’s book *The Monk Who Became Chief Minister*.
Personal Life
Yogi Adityanath has never married and lives a life of ascetic simplicity as the head priest of Gorakhnath Math. Despite his political prominence, he continues to perform religious duties, maintain spiritual practices, and promote social welfare programs through the Math.