Yogi Adityanath defended his sister's work at a tea shop as a path to financial independence. His response framed self-reliance as respectable while broadening his idea of family to Uttar Pradesh.Yogi said that people should not seek help by begging but should work towards standing on their own feet. (Credits: X/Aajtak)Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh,Nov 8, 2026 14:30 ISTUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday responded to a question about a viral video of his sister running a tea shop, saying he considered the 25 crore people of the state his family and believed that his sister was leading a respectable life by working towards financial independence.During a conversation at AajTak Panchayat in Ayodhya, Senior Managing Editor Sweta Singh asked the Chief Minister about his family background and a video of his sister that had circulated on social media.She pointed out that the tea shop appeared to reflect difficult financial circumstances and asked how his admirers and critics viewed his inability to improve his sister's situation.Responding to the question, Adityanath said he was a yogi and did not view his family in conventional terms. “I am a Yogi.

And for me, the 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh are my family,” he said.Speaking about his sister, he said she did not depend on others for financial support and was working towards becoming self-reliant. “I believe that my sister, in whatever situation she is in, does not beg in front of anyone. She stands on her own two feet and moves ahead in the direction of her financial self-sufficiency.

And I feel that this is the most respectable life,” he said.Repeating his point, the Chief Minister said people should not seek help by begging but should work towards standing on their own feet.“Do not beg in front of anyone. Instead, try to stand on your own two feet.

And I feel that every respectable person should move ahead in that direction,” he added.YOGI TAKES AIM AT AKHILESH OVER RAM MANDIRThe exchange was part of a wider political interaction at AajTak Panchayat, during which Adityanath also targeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his proposed visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.The Chief Minister said Akhilesh should apologise to Ram devotees and saints for the Samajwadi Party's past actions before visiting the temple town.Referring to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, he said those responsible for the treatment of Ram devotees should express regret.Adityanath maintained that everyone had the right to visit Ayodhya, but those who had neglected the city and disrespected the sentiments of devotees should apologise first.YOGI RESPONDS TO OWAISI'S MUSLIM CM REMARKAdityanath also criticised AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his remarks about the possibility of a Muslim Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh and a burqa-clad woman becoming Prime Minister.Owaisi had invoked the victory of Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race in the United States, saying that the 'Abdul' of Uttar Pradesh would no longer bow before anyone and would become an MLA.Responding to the remarks, Adityanath accused Owaisi of pursuing an agenda that was against India, Hindus and the country's constitutional values.He said people with such an agenda had no place in Uttar Pradesh and claimed that Owaisi's political ambitions would not be fulfilled.The UP Chief Minister also criticised the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, claiming that their political approaches were similar to that of the AIMIM.- Ends