Akhilesh Yadav flags dusty road to Himachal ashram

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav drew attention to the poor condition of a rural road during his recent visit to Himachal Pradesh. Travelling through Rajgarh subdivision in Sirmaur district, Yadav shared visuals on social media showing clouds of dust rising from a narrow, damaged single-lane road as his convoy made its way to Badrika Ashram in Shalamu village under Karganu panchayat.

Taking a swipe at the Centre, he remarked that if a scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana could be launched, a similar initiative connecting prominent ashrams should also be considered. He suggested that improved connectivity to religious sites would strengthen spiritual pathways and enable devotees to benefit from satsang in what he described as an era of “falsehood”.

During the visit, Yadav reportedly met spiritual leader Om Swami and sought his blessings. Situated along the banks of the Giri Ganga river, Badrika Ashram is known for its serene surroundings and spiritual significance.

Yadav had arrived in Kasauli earlier in the week, and officials described the ashram visit as private. However, limited public disclosure about the tour has fuelled speculation, particularly amid the ongoing Shankaracharya controversy in Uttar Pradesh. Tight security arrangements were put in place and the ashram has since drawn heightened public attention.