Yogi Adityanath, who visited visited his constituency Gorakhpur for the first time since&nbsp;becoming the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Saturday, said there would be no discrimination on the lines of caste, religion or gender in the state.

The firebrand right-wing five-time legislator from Gorakhpur, who has a history of agitation against minority Muslims, has had political observers worried ever since he took charge of India&#39;s most politically-crucial state.

&quot;There will be no discrimination in name of caste, religion and sex. There will be overall development,&quot; Adityanath said in his address at the Maharana Pratap Inter College here.

Adityanath also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the former had&nbsp;entrusted him with the responsibility of&nbsp;making&nbsp;the dreams of the state come true.

&quot;Prime Minister Modi`s development programmes are being made available to all the citizens. He had laid foundation for a fertilizer company and AIIMS hospital. Now we are confident that 
the population of the state will not feel left out. He wants that every citizen must get benefit from the schemes of the government,&quot; he added.

Highlighting the loopholes of the previous government, Adityanath said Prime Minister Modi was worried as how to fix things and bring development in the state.

&quot;Brain drain was a problem. Businessmen were moving out, youngsters didn`t see hope. Women, anganwadi workers continue to protest, and no heed was paid to the plight of workers and government employees,&quot; he added.

Adityanath further vowed to turn Uttar Pradesh as developed state, saying that they would dedicate themselves to the service of the state.&quot;We will fulfil all our promises. Uttar Pradesh will be turned into a developed state. We need your support to make that happen,&quot; he added.

Vowing to curb corruption in the state, Adityanath said they will show as how the government works and performs.Slamming the hooliganism prevailing in the state, Adityanath said,&quot; Gorakhpur has been a laboratory for all such criminal activities. People would get scared if you told them you were from Gorakhpur. But now safety will be guaranteed. We want your support. Your support will be my strength to ensure law and order and safety here,&quot; he added.

The chief minister also clarified that the anti-romeo squads must not trouble youngsters unnecessarily, adding that stern actions would be taken against the eve-teasers. 
 
&quot;We have formed anti-romeo squads and now eve-teasers will be dealt with. But girls and boys on moving around or sitting at any place should not be troubled if it is with their consent,&quot; Adityanath said in his address.

Adityanath, who is on a two-day tour to Gorakhpur has visited the city for the first time after taking charge as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The former priest also visited the city&#39;s temples including the famous Goraknath Math.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Live from Gorakhpur (UP): UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits Gorakhnath Math <a href="https://t.co/8CJiTGThR6">https://t.co/8CJiTGThR6</a>
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The entire city has been covered with billboards and banners for his welcome, while the local administration has provided adequate security.

&nbsp;

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UP CM Yogi Adityanath&#39;s address at Gorakhpur&#39;s Maharana Pratap Inter College <a href="https://t.co/k6nJejaWkm">pic.twitter.com/k6nJejaWkm</a>
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Na jaati, na mazhab, na ling ke naam par koi bhedbhaav hoga. Vikaas sabka hoga. Kisi ka tushtikaran nhi hoga: UP CM Yogi Adityanath <a href="https://t.co/WtpKeVibdt">pic.twitter.com/WtpKeVibdt</a>
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&nbsp;

On Friday, Adityanath visited a&nbsp;Dalit gang-rape and acid attack survivor who was forced to drink acid by two men on board a train. He also gave a cheque of Rs&nbsp;one lakh as compensation to the victim&#39;s husband and directed the police officials to immediately nab the accused and initiate strict action against the guilty.The woman is undergoing treatment in Lucknow&#39;s King George&#39;s Medical University hospital.

Earlier in the week, he launched &#39;Anti-Romeo&#39; squads contain sexual assaults and harassments in public areas, ordered to shut down of illegal slaughter houses and banned the use of pan masala and tobacco in the government premises in the state.

(ANI)

 
&nbsp;

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister visited his constituency Gorakhpur for the first time after his victory in the state assembly polls

Yogi Adityanath, who visited visited his constituency Gorakhpur for the first time since becoming the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Saturday, said there would be no discrimination on the lines of caste, religion or gender in the state. The firebrand right-wing five-time legislator from Gorakhpur, who has a history of agitation against minority Muslims, has had political observers worried ever since he took charge of India's most politically-crucial state. "There will be no discrimination in name of caste, religion and sex. There will be overall development," Adityanath said in his address at the Maharana Pratap Inter College here. Adityanath also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the former had entrusted him with the responsibility of making the dreams of the state come true. "Prime Minister Modi`s development programmes are being made available to all the citizens. He had laid foundation for a fertilizer company and AIIMS hospital. Now we are confident that the population of the state will not feel left out. He wants that every citizen must get benefit from the schemes of the government," he added. Highlighting the loopholes of the previous government, Adityanath said Prime Minister Modi was worried as how to fix things and bring development in the state. "Brain drain was a problem. Businessmen were moving out, youngsters didn`t see hope. Women, anganwadi workers continue to protest, and no heed was paid to the plight of workers and government employees," he added. Adityanath further vowed to turn Uttar Pradesh as developed state, saying that they would dedicate themselves to the service of the state."We will fulfil all our promises. Uttar Pradesh will be turned into a developed state. We need your support to make that happen," he added. Vowing to curb corruption in the state, Adityanath said they will show as how the government works and performs.Slamming the hooliganism prevailing in the state, Adityanath said," Gorakhpur has been a laboratory for all such criminal activities. People would get scared if you told them you were from Gorakhpur. But now safety will be guaranteed. We want your support. Your support will be my strength to ensure law and order and safety here," he added. The chief minister also clarified that the anti-romeo squads must not trouble youngsters unnecessarily, adding that stern actions would be taken against the eve-teasers. "We have formed anti-romeo squads and now eve-teasers will be dealt with. But girls and boys on moving around or sitting at any place should not be troubled if it is with their consent," Adityanath said in his address. Adityanath, who is on a two-day tour to Gorakhpur has visited the city for the first time after taking charge as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. The former priest also visited the city's temples including the famous Goraknath Math. #WATCH Live from Gorakhpur (UP): UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits Gorakhnath Math https://t.co/8CJiTGThR6 — ANI (@ANI_news) March 25, 2017 × The entire city has been covered with billboards and banners for his welcome, while the local administration has provided adequate security. UP CM Yogi Adityanath's address at Gorakhpur's Maharana Pratap Inter College pic.twitter.com/k6nJejaWkm — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2017 × Na jaati, na mazhab, na ling ke naam par koi bhedbhaav hoga. Vikaas sabka hoga. Kisi ka tushtikaran nhi hoga: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/WtpKeVibdt — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2017 × #WATCH Live from Gorakhpur (UP) : Welcome ceremony of Yogi Adityanath on his first visit to Gorakhpur as CM https://t.co/tTLENhrhMo — ANI (@ANI_news) March 25, 2017 × On Friday, Adityanath visited a Dalit gang-rape and acid attack survivor who was forced to drink acid by two men on board a train. He also gave a cheque of Rs one lakh as compensation to the victim's husband and directed the police officials to immediately nab the accused and initiate strict action against the guilty.The woman is undergoing treatment in Lucknow's King George's Medical University hospital. Earlier in the week, he launched 'Anti-Romeo' squads contain sexual assaults and harassments in public areas, ordered to shut down of illegal slaughter houses and banned the use of pan masala and tobacco in the government premises in the state. (ANI)

There will be no religious discrimination, assures Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out farm loan waivers by the Centre but said states can utilise their own resources in this regard.

He clarified that the Centre will not adopt a selective approach by helping one state and not the others.

&quot;This issue (loan waiver) has cropped up in several states. The Centre has its policies for agriculture sector under which we provide interest subvention and other support. We will continue to give all that.

If a state has its own resources and want to go ahead in that direction, it will have to find its resources. The situation where the Centre will help one state and not the others will not arise,&quot; Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha.

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had said that the Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh will waive off loans of small and marginal farmers as has been promised in party&#39;s state election manifesto in the recent assembly polls.

The Congress had demanded that the government announce a loan waiver for farmers across the country as was done by the UPA in 2006 and not just for Uttar Pradesh where the BJP has returned to power with a major mandate. 
 
(PTI)

Arun Jaitley clarified that states can utilise their own resources if they want to waive off farmers' loans

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out farm loan waivers by the Centre but said states can utilise their own resources in this regard. He clarified that the Centre will not adopt a selective approach by helping one state and not the others. "This issue (loan waiver) has cropped up in several states. The Centre has its policies for agriculture sector under which we provide interest subvention and other support. We will continue to give all that. If a state has its own resources and want to go ahead in that direction, it will have to find its resources. The situation where the Centre will help one state and not the others will not arise," Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had said that the Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh will waive off loans of small and marginal farmers as has been promised in party's state election manifesto in the recent assembly polls. The Congress had demanded that the government announce a loan waiver for farmers across the country as was done by the UPA in 2006 and not just for Uttar Pradesh where the BJP has returned to power with a major mandate. (PTI)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rules out loans waivers by the Centre

A man has been arrested for allegedly posting an &#39;objectionable&#39;&nbsp;image of Yogi Adityanath, the new Uttar Pradesh chief minister, on social media.

Rahat Khan, who works at a public utility centre, was held after the Hindu Yuva Vahini -- a right-wing outfit formed by Adityanath in 2002 -- notified the police about the post on Facebook.

Twenty four-year-old Khan allegedly posted an obscene picture of the new chief minister and dubbed him a &quot;traitor&quot;.

Police in Dankaur, roughly 75 kilometres from India&#39;s national capital New Delhi, confirmed Khan&#39;s&nbsp;arrest.

Yogi Adityanath became Uttar Pradesh&#39;s 21st chief minister last week after Indian Prime MInister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept roughly 80 per cent of the electoral seats in the recently-concluded state elections in Uttar Pradesh, which incidentally is also the country&#39;s most populous state.

Adityanath&#39;s ascension to the top post in the state has elicited split opinions. While the commentariat on the right has lauded BJP&#39;s decision to appoint him to helm India&#39;s heartland, critics fear that the Hindu hardliner portends trouble in a state that is riven by caste and religious faultlines.&nbsp;

Adityanath, who has in the past spouted incendiary comments against Islam, has also unnerved a sizeable Muslim population in the state. Muslims constitute almost 20 per cent of the 202 million people in the state.

A five-time lawmaker, the Hindutva firebrand has been caught in several controversies for making divisive speeches.

He is the head priest of Gorakhnath Mutt in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Gorakhpur town.

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Twenty-four-year-old Rahat Khan allegedly also called the yogi a 'traitor'

A man has been arrested for allegedly posting an 'objectionable' image of Yogi Adityanath, the new Uttar Pradesh chief minister, on social media. Rahat Khan, who works at a public utility centre, was held after the Hindu Yuva Vahini -- a right-wing outfit formed by Adityanath in 2002 -- notified the police about the post on Facebook. Twenty four-year-old Khan allegedly posted an obscene picture of the new chief minister and dubbed him a "traitor". Police in Dankaur, roughly 75 kilometres from India's national capital New Delhi, confirmed Khan's arrest. Yogi Adityanath became Uttar Pradesh's 21st chief minister last week after Indian Prime MInister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept roughly 80 per cent of the electoral seats in the recently-concluded state elections in Uttar Pradesh, which incidentally is also the country's most populous state. Adityanath's ascension to the top post in the state has elicited split opinions. While the commentariat on the right has lauded BJP's decision to appoint him to helm India's heartland, critics fear that the Hindu hardliner portends trouble in a state that is riven by caste and religious faultlines. Adityanath, who has in the past spouted incendiary comments against Islam, has also unnerved a sizeable Muslim population in the state. Muslims constitute almost 20 per cent of the 202 million people in the state. A five-time lawmaker, the Hindutva firebrand has been caught in several controversies for making divisive speeches. He is the head priest of Gorakhnath Mutt in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur town. (WION)

Man held for 'posting obscene picture' of UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Five-term Lok Sabha member of parliament (MP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) &nbsp;leader Yogi Adityanath, who was sworn-in as Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh Sunday, is a fiery Hindutva mascot and has developed a reputation of being controversy&#39;s favourite child over a period of time.

44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan.

Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, Aditayanth, a Gorakhpur MP, has been seeking greater power and is expected to give a push to BJP&#39;s Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP.

Born Ajay Singh, the diminutive shaven headed politician who heads the Gorakhnath Mutt, is known for his powerful oratory, though most of his speeches hinge on divisive lines and has been in the forefront in keeping the communal politics alive in the country.

Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, drove BJP&#39;s Hindutva campaign in eastern UP in the just concluded Assembly polls in the politically crucial state where it won three- fourths majority.

Adityanath has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the &#39;Hindu&#39; voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his &quot;leadership qualities&quot;.

He had floated Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit, in 2002. Ever since, the HYV has been largely instrumental in his meteoric rise &mdash;&nbsp;from a student leader to five-time MP.

Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015, to asking people to leave India if they don&#39;t practice Surya Namaskar&nbsp;(sun salutation, a Hindu&nbsp;ritual or routine) in 2015, the Yogi has been unabashed about his provocative views.

Playing the religious card during the pre-poll campaign, the firebrand leader had said that issues like &quot;love jihad&#39; and &#39;Kairana Hindu&quot;&nbsp;exodus have always been on his party&#39;s agenda.

He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its work will soon start in Ayodhya.

Born on June 5, 1972, Adityanath was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26. He has been elected as an MP from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 elections.

In 2005, Adityanath allegedly led a &quot;purification drive&quot; which involved the conversion of Christians to Hinduism. In one such instance, 1,800 Christians were reportedly converted to Hinduism in the town of Etah in UP.&nbsp;

In January 2007, an altercation involving a Hindu group and Muslims broke out during a Muharram procession in Gorakhpur which led to the hospitalisation of a young Hindu, Raj Kumar Agrahari.

The District Magistrate had made it clear that Adityanath should not visit the site as it may inflame tensions.

He initially agreed but after Agrahari died, he disobeyed the magistrate and travelled to the site with a group of his followers. Adityanath then started a non-violent dharna (peaceful demonstration)&nbsp;on the site.

However, inflammatory speeches were made and some of his followers even set fire to a nearby mazar (Muslim mausoleum).

Curfew was imposed by the local police, but Adityanath broke it and was subsequently jailed.

He was arrested and remanded for a fortnight on charges of disturbing peace. His arrest led to further unrest and several coaches of the Mumbai-bound Mumbai-Gorakhpur Godan Express were burnt, allegedly by protesting Hindu Yuva Vahini activists.

The tensions escalated to riots across Gorakhpur leading to the burning of mosques, homes, buses and trains.

During the intolerance debate in the media, Adityanath compared Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

He had said, &quot;Shah Rukh Khan should remember that majority population of the country made him the star, and if they boycott his films, he will also have to wander on streets. It is unfortunate SRK is speaking the same language that of Hafiz Saeed.&quot;

That he is not someone who minces words while expressing himself was manifested when he came out full throttle for yoga in the midst of controversy over the issue saying that those who oppose Surya Namaskar can leave India.

He also made a request that those who see communalism in even Sun God should drown themselves in the sea or live in a dark room for the rest of their lives.

On January 3, 2016, one day after the terror attack on an IAF base in Pathankot, Adityanath blamed the assault on Pakistan, claiming, &quot;The Pathankot attack has once again proved that Satan could change for the better but Pakistan cannot&quot;.

Adityanath has had a chequered relation with the BJP leadership for more than a decade. With the emergence of a separate power base in eastern UP, he has been seeking greater power, causing further conflicts.

In December 2006, Adityanath had organised a three-day Virat Hindu Mahasammelan at Gorakhpur, during the same period when the BJP was holding its National Executive Meet in Lucknow.

The 2007 elections saw a conflict between Adityanath and the BJP leadership - he wanted more than hundred seats in this region to go to candidates selected by him, but the party leadership would not agree.

Subsequently, a compromise agreement was reached, possibly with inputs from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and eight of his candidates were fielded.

In March 2010, Adityanath was one of several BJP MPs who started defying the party whip on the Women&#39;s Reservation Bill. 
 
Adityanath is the Mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Mutt, a Hindu temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of his spiritual &quot;father&quot;,&nbsp;Mahant Avaidyanath in September 2014.

Though known more for his rightist Hindu politics, it is to his credit that people in Gorakhpur, especially around the temple, hold him in high esteem irrespective of whichever caste or community they belong to.

Even Muslims around the temple are given &quot;protection&quot; by the Yogi.

Yogi Adityanath comes from a Rajput family. He completed his Bachelor&#39;s Degree in Science from Uttarakhand.

(PTI)

He's expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase in eastern UP

Five-term Lok Sabha member of parliament (MP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yogi Adityanath, who was sworn-in as Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh Sunday, is a fiery Hindutva mascot and has developed a reputation of being controversy's favourite child over a period of time. 44-year-old Adityanath, a priest-turned-politician, is known for his provocative speeches and mass following across the state and never shies away from making controversial remarks, be it about Islam or Pakistan. Clad in his trademark saffron-coloured robe, Aditayanth, a Gorakhpur MP, has been seeking greater power and is expected to give a push to BJP's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development with the emergence of a separate powerbase for the party in eastern UP. Born Ajay Singh, the diminutive shaven headed politician who heads the Gorakhnath Mutt, is known for his powerful oratory, though most of his speeches hinge on divisive lines and has been in the forefront in keeping the communal politics alive in the country. Adityanath, who is a strong votary of construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, drove BJP's Hindutva campaign in eastern UP in the just concluded Assembly polls in the politically crucial state where it won three- fourths majority. Adityanath has rebelled against his party on several occasions, but because of the sway he holds over the 'Hindu' voters, the BJP apparently could not ignore his "leadership qualities". He had floated Hindu Yuva Vahini, a right-wing outfit, in 2002. Ever since, the HYV has been largely instrumental in his meteoric rise — from a student leader to five-time MP. Right from comparing Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed during the intolerance debate in 2015, to asking people to leave India if they don't practice Surya Namaskar (sun salutation, a Hindu ritual or routine) in 2015, the Yogi has been unabashed about his provocative views. Playing the religious card during the pre-poll campaign, the firebrand leader had said that issues like "love jihad' and 'Kairana Hindu" exodus have always been on his party's agenda. He had also said that the hurdles on the path of construction of a grand Ram temple will be gradually removed and its work will soon start in Ayodhya. Born on June 5, 1972, Adityanath was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at 26. He has been elected as an MP from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 elections. In 2005, Adityanath allegedly led a "purification drive" which involved the conversion of Christians to Hinduism. In one such instance, 1,800 Christians were reportedly converted to Hinduism in the town of Etah in UP. In January 2007, an altercation involving a Hindu group and Muslims broke out during a Muharram procession in Gorakhpur which led to the hospitalisation of a young Hindu, Raj Kumar Agrahari. The District Magistrate had made it clear that Adityanath should not visit the site as it may inflame tensions. He initially agreed but after Agrahari died, he disobeyed the magistrate and travelled to the site with a group of his followers. Adityanath then started a non-violent dharna (peaceful demonstration) on the site. However, inflammatory speeches were made and some of his followers even set fire to a nearby mazar (Muslim mausoleum). Curfew was imposed by the local police, but Adityanath broke it and was subsequently jailed. He was arrested and remanded for a fortnight on charges of disturbing peace. His arrest led to further unrest and several coaches of the Mumbai-bound Mumbai-Gorakhpur Godan Express were burnt, allegedly by protesting Hindu Yuva Vahini activists. The tensions escalated to riots across Gorakhpur leading to the burning of mosques, homes, buses and trains. During the intolerance debate in the media, Adityanath compared Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed. He had said, "Shah Rukh Khan should remember that majority population of the country made him the star, and if they boycott his films, he will also have to wander on streets. It is unfortunate SRK is speaking the same language that of Hafiz Saeed." That he is not someone who minces words while expressing himself was manifested when he came out full throttle for yoga in the midst of controversy over the issue saying that those who oppose Surya Namaskar can leave India. He also made a request that those who see communalism in even Sun God should drown themselves in the sea or live in a dark room for the rest of their lives. On January 3, 2016, one day after the terror attack on an IAF base in Pathankot, Adityanath blamed the assault on Pakistan, claiming, "The Pathankot attack has once again proved that Satan could change for the better but Pakistan cannot". Adityanath has had a chequered relation with the BJP leadership for more than a decade. With the emergence of a separate power base in eastern UP, he has been seeking greater power, causing further conflicts. In December 2006, Adityanath had organised a three-day Virat Hindu Mahasammelan at Gorakhpur, during the same period when the BJP was holding its National Executive Meet in Lucknow. The 2007 elections saw a conflict between Adityanath and the BJP leadership - he wanted more than hundred seats in this region to go to candidates selected by him, but the party leadership would not agree. Subsequently, a compromise agreement was reached, possibly with inputs from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and eight of his candidates were fielded. In March 2010, Adityanath was one of several BJP MPs who started defying the party whip on the Women's Reservation Bill. Adityanath is the Mahant (head priest) of the Gorakhnath Mutt, a Hindu temple in Gorakhpur, following the death of his spiritual "father", Mahant Avaidyanath in September 2014. Though known more for his rightist Hindu politics, it is to his credit that people in Gorakhpur, especially around the temple, hold him in high esteem irrespective of whichever caste or community they belong to. Even Muslims around the temple are given "protection" by the Yogi. Yogi Adityanath comes from a Rajput family. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Science from Uttarakhand. (PTI)

UP CM Yogi Adityanath ? Hindutva mascot and controversy's favourite child

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