“If Bombay can become Mumbai, Bangalore can become Bengaluru, Madras can become Chennai, and Calcutta can become Kolkota, there is no reason why Allahabad should not become Prayagraj and Faizabad should not become Ayodhya. To re-establish our original identity, we have renamed these places. I am happy that people have welcomed this.”

Indian Hindu monk and politician, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh since 2017

Yogi Adityanath is an Indian Hindu monk and politician. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, he has served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh since 2017. He is the state’s longest-serving chief minister and the first to hold the office for two consecutive terms. His public life is closely identified with politics in Uttar Pradesh and with his role as a Hindu religious figure.