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The other side of Yogi Adityanath: A Muslim man is the caretaker of his ‘favourite’ cow Nandini

Yogi Adityanath was a "surprise" choice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah as BJP's chief minister for Uttar Pradesh,

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath has been the talk of the town ever since it was announced that he would become the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Many have shown their dismay over the elevation of Yogi to the top post in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, due to his ‘anti-Muslim’ image.

However, amidst so much of criticism, there’s one side of Adityanath, which many of us don’t know. Known for his ‘anti’Muslim’ stance, this man shares a special bond with a young Muslim lad! Yes you read that right. We are talking about Man Mohammad, a Muslim youth who has been serving at the Gorakhnath temple’s ‘gaushala’ (cow shelter) since the age of 10.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Mohammad (30) has been looking after the cows of Adityanath from the past 20 years. There are more than 500 cows at the temple’s gaushala cow shelter.

Man Mohammad is a Muslim youth who has been serving at the temple’s gaushala since the age of 10. He comes from a very humble background, and was initiated into the service by his father Inayatullah who himself was a volunteer when mahant Digvijay Nath and mahant Avaidyanath were the priests of the temple.

Mohammad is unmarried and like other volunteers, he is paid a nominal amount and given food for his services. Notably, he offers namaz and follows Islamic practices. But that doesn’t come in the way of a strong bond with his Hindu colleagues. They love him for his love and dedication for cows.

Like every year, Mohammad received gifts and new clothes on the occasion of Holi. He says that he has spent his childhood at the temple and it is like his home. He also claims that he’ll continue working at the temple for the rest of his life as Adityanath has given him a lot of love and respect.

Interestingly, Mohammad takes care of Nandini, who is the favourite cow of Adityanath. Yogi doesn’t take his breakfast till he himself feeds the cows.

Mohammad says that Adityanath’s image is of a firebrand leader, but when it comes to personal bonding, he stands for everyone irrespective of religious identity. He is confident that as the CM of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi will work for all and will ensure development of every community.