Yogi Adityanath: Biography, Early Life, Education, and Political Career

Full Name: Shri Yogi Adityanath
Real Name: Ajay Singh Bisht
Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Constituency: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
Date of Birth: June 5, 1972
Place of Birth: Panchur, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Father's Name: Anand Singh Bisht
Mother's Name: Savitri Devi
Religion: Hinduism
Education: B.Sc. in Mathematics
Alma Mater: Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
Occupation: Politician, Priest
Position Held: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Religious Title: Mahant (Spiritual Head of Gorakhnath Temple)
Teacher: Mahant Avaidyanath
Website: www.yogiadityanath.in

Early Life and Education

Born as Ajay Singh Bisht, Yogi Adityanath hails from a Rajput family in the village of Panchur in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. He began his schooling in 1977 at a local school in Tehri, later attending Bharat Mandir Intermediate College in Rishikesh. He completed his 10th and 12th examinations there and went on to study at Garhwal University, where he earned a B.Sc. degree in Mathematics in 1990. During this period, he became actively involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

After an attempt to pursue a master's degree was interrupted by various challenges, he shifted focus towards spiritual pursuits. In 1993, he met Mahant Avaidyanath, who became his spiritual guide. In 1994, Ajay Singh Bisht took formal renunciation, becoming Yogi Adityanath and dedicating his life to spiritual and social causes.

Spiritual and Political Journey

Yogi Adityanath became a prominent figure when he was appointed as the successor to Mahant Avaidyanath. Following the death of his mentor in 2014, Yogi Adityanath became the Mahant and later the Pithadhishwara of the Gorakhnath Temple.

Yogi’s political career began in 1998 when he won his first election as a BJP candidate for the Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur. He was the youngest member of Parliament at the time, elected at the age of 26. Since then, he has continuously represented Gorakhpur, winning in subsequent elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. Known for his staunch Hindu nationalist views, he founded the Hindu Yuva Vahini, a youth organization that has been both influential and controversial.

Leadership and Chief Ministership

In 2017, Yogi Adityanath was appointed as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in his political career. Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh has seen a mix of developmental initiatives and controversies. He remains a prominent and influential figure within the BJP and is widely considered one of the major leaders in Uttar Pradesh politics.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Yogi Adityanath's political journey has been marked by numerous controversies. He was arrested during the Gorakhpur riots, which erupted following the death of a Hindu youth during the Muslim festival of Muharram. In another instance, he narrowly survived an attack in 2008 in Azamgarh. Despite these incidents, he has maintained a strong political presence and continues to be a polarizing figure in Indian politics.

Yogi Adityanath’s journey from a small village in Uttarakhand to the helm of Uttar Pradesh’s political and religious landscape highlights his influence and appeal. His contributions, both controversial and developmental, continue to shape the socio-political fabric of the state.