From Monk to Chief Minister: The Untold Journey of Yogi Adityanath

Date: September 19, 2025

A new film, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, was released on Friday, September 19, 2025. The movie is based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It claims to show the “untold” side of his story. Yet, many parts of the film repeat what people already know about him. His life has been written, spoken, and debated many times before. But even so, it is worth looking closely. His rise from a small village boy to the head of India’s most populated state is still remarkable.

This article takes a deep look into his journey. It touches his early years, his spiritual path, his political rise, his achievements, and the controversies around him. It also looks at how the new film tries to capture his image for the public.

Childhood and Education

Yogi Adityanath was born on 5 June 1972 as Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht. His birthplace was Panchur village in Pauri Garhwal district. At that time it was part of Uttar Pradesh, though today it lies in Uttarakhand. His family came from a modest background. His father was a forest ranger.

He completed his early education in local schools. Later, he studied at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics. At first, it looked like he would have a normal professional career. But he felt a stronger pull toward spirituality and service. Even as a student, he took part in social activities. He was deeply inspired by the Nath sect of Hindu monks.

Turning to Monkhood

In the early 1990s, Ajay Bisht went to Gorakhpur. There, he met Mahant Avaidyanath, the head of the Gorakhnath Math. This meeting changed his life. Ajay left behind his family, his village, and his academic life. He became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath. In time, he was given the name “Yogi Adityanath.”

When Avaidyanath passed away on 12 September 2014, Yogi Adityanath was declared the head priest (Mahant) of the Gorakhnath Math. This position gave him not only spiritual authority but also social and political influence in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

First Steps into Politics

Yogi Adityanath’s entry into politics came in 1998. At just 26 years old, he contested elections from Gorakhpur as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. He won and entered the Lok Sabha (Parliament).

This was the start of a long parliamentary career. He won the Gorakhpur seat in five consecutive elections: 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. In Parliament, he was often seen as a strong voice for Hindutva. His speeches made headlines. He was admired by his supporters as fearless. But critics described him as divisive.

Becoming Chief Minister

The big turning point came in 2017. The BJP scored a massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. On 19 March 2017, Yogi Adityanath was sworn in as Chief Minister.

For many, this was surprising. Yogi was not seen as a mainstream BJP face like others in Delhi. But his popularity in Uttar Pradesh was strong. He had built a reputation for strict discipline and a no-nonsense approach.

He became the first monk to hold such a powerful political position in India’s history. In 2022, he again led the BJP to victory. He thus became the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to complete a full five-year term and return to power. This made him a record-setter in state politics.

Policies and Actions

Since 2017, Yogi Adityanath’s government has worked on several fronts.

Law and Order: He is widely known for his strict handling of crime. His government promoted “zero tolerance” against criminals. Many encounters and police actions were reported. Supporters say law and order improved. Critics argue that some actions ignored due process.
Welfare Schemes: His government expanded schemes for the poor. Programs for housing, electricity, school improvement, women’s safety, and nutrition were launched. Campaigns like Operation Kayakalp worked to improve government schools.
Infrastructure Growth: Expressways, new airports, and metro rail projects became his government’s big showcase. The Purvanchal Expressway, Ganga Expressway, and Defence Corridor are examples of projects aimed at attracting investment.
Religious and Cultural Initiatives: He pushed for the development of Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura. The grand Ram Temple project in Ayodhya gained momentum during his rule.

Lesser-Known Parts of His Story

Many facts about Yogi Adityanath are not repeated as often:

Education vs. Religion: He studied science but left the field to pursue monkhood. Not many leaders in Indian politics have taken such a sharp turn from modern education to monastic life.
Balancing Two Roles: As head of Gorakhnath Math and as Chief Minister, he plays both spiritual and political roles. This mix is rare in Indian democracy.
Holding Many Ministries: As CM, he also holds important portfolios himself, like Home and Revenue. This makes him very powerful within the state.
Symbol of Continuity: In a state known for unstable governments, his two terms show stability. That itself is a political achievement.

The Film: Ajey – The Untold Story of a Yogi

The film, released on September 19, 2025, is based on Shantanu Gupta’s book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister. Actor Anant Joshi plays the role of Yogi Adityanath.

The movie tells his journey from childhood, to monkhood, to Parliament, and finally to Chief Minister. Early reviews say the film is factual but safe. It does not dig into controversies too deeply. Critics say the film repeats many “told” facts, instead of revealing “untold” truths.

At the box office, the film opened poorly. It collected only about ₹20 lakh on the first day. For a leader of Yogi Adityanath’s popularity, this was seen as underwhelming. Analysts believe the film may appeal more to his supporters than to a wider audience.

Praise and Criticism

Like every leader, Yogi Adityanath has both admirers and critics.

Praise:

Many say he has improved basic infrastructure like roads, power, and transport.
Supporters admire his strict law and order approach. They feel safer under his leadership.
Welfare schemes are reaching people more directly.
His image as a “clean” leader, without family ties or personal wealth, is appreciated.

Criticism:

Critics say his style of governance is too centralised. He keeps too many ministries under his control.
Some of his policies are seen as promoting divisions between communities.
There are reports of bias in recruitment and education, with courts questioning some policies.
Despite development, parts of rural Uttar Pradesh still face poverty, unemployment, and poor health services.

The Road Ahead

Yogi Adityanath has become one of the most important leaders in Indian politics. His work in Uttar Pradesh is closely watched across the country. His future role could go beyond the state. Some even see him as a possible national leader one day.

But challenges remain. He must balance development with harmony. He must ensure that welfare reaches all, without discrimination. He must create jobs for millions of young people in Uttar Pradesh. And he must manage his image as both monk and politician.

The story of Yogi Adityanath is not simple. It is part faith, part politics, and part governance. From Ajay Mohan Singh Bisht of Panchur village to Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the journey is extraordinary.

The new film may not reveal much that is new. But it reminds us of the unusual path of a man who blends saffron robes with political power. His “untold story” may still be unfolding, as he continues to shape the future of India’s largest state.