Yogendra Upadhyay, the Uttar Pradesh Minister for Higher Education and Science and Technology, has stirred controversy by condemning nursery rhymes like 'Johnny Johnny Yes Papa' and 'Rain Rain Go Away' for allegedly promoting dishonesty and selfishness. Speaking at a private school in Lucknow, he argued that these rhymes teach children to lie and prioritize personal pleasure over collective well-being. Upadhyay highlighted that the message of 'Johnny Johnny Yes Papa' encourages dishonesty, as it involves a child denying wrongdoing, while 'Rain Rain Go Away' suggests that individual desires should take precedence over communal needs. He emphasized the importance of instilling values aligned with Indian culture, which he described as focusing on 'Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay' (for the welfare of all, for the happiness of all). His remarks have drawn criticism from the opposition, particularly the Samajwadi Party, which accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of diverting attention from its governance failures by raising such issues. Upadhyay, a long-serving MLA from the Agra South constituency, expressed his commitment to addressing cultural education in future discussions.