The Ramcharitmanas row, triggered by the feedback of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) minister Chandrashekar, has as soon as once more been delivered to mild by Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Manjhi, giving his views on the controversy, mentioned that it seems Lord Ram was imaginary, whereas Ravana comes throughout as an mental.
Talking to reporters, Hindustani Awam Morcha’s (HAM) chief mentioned, “who mentioned Ravana was Demon (Rakshas), I imagine Ravana was mental and Ram was imaginary. Ravana was extra hard-working than Ram.”
Manjhi additionally reportedly questioned the existence of Lord Ram, and termed the epic Ramayana as a piece of fiction.
HAM is an ally within the Mahagathbandhan authorities in Bihar.
The controversy had erupted final 12 months (this 12 months in January), after Chandrashekhar termed some phrases in Ramcharitmanas as “rubbish.”
Manjhi’s assertion got here after BJP MLAs on Friday recited Hanuman Chalisa on the ground of the Home through the ongoing Finances session of Bihar Meeting.
The saffron social gathering MLAs entered the effectively of the Home and began chanting Hanuman Chalisa denoting the State in ‘Sankat,’ or bother below the management of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Manjhi mentioned that, “the BJP MLAs mustn’t recite Hanuman Chalisa within the Bihar legislative meeting.”
“Ramayana has been written by Tulsidas and Valmiki each, why Tulsidas Das is worshiped not Valmiki. Many Brahmin students have additionally written that Ram was imaginary, why are they not condemned and when a dalit like me says so, folks have issues with it,” he added.
He additional mentioned that individuals having Manuwadi thought have stored the supremacy of Tulsidas somewhat than Valmiki.
“There are various issues within the Ramayana which aren’t right and even BR Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia had mentioned that objectionable parts needs to be omitted from Ramayana written by Tulsidas. As a substitute of serving the folks, right this moment’s politics is predicated on faith,” he mentioned.
The saffron social gathering has reacted to those feedback, with BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand saying that, “lately it has turn into a vogue to abuse Hinduism, the Hindu spiritual texts in addition to the Hindu god and goddess.”
“It’s actually condemnable the best way RJD chief, Samajwadi Occasion chief and now Jitan Ram Manjhi is on and off making statements in opposition to Hindu god which is hurting the feelings of frequent Hindu lots,” Anand added.
Talking in a video, Anand mentioned that these folks ought to “higher examine their tongue.”
“In the event that they make a press release in opposition to Islam or some other faith, they are going to be honoured with Fatwa. They’re doing it within the identify of liberalism, progressivism and to precise the sentiment in favour of simpleton and to appease Muslims and their vote financial institution. Within the identify of secularism, they need to not do something to harm the feelings of Hindu lots,” Anand added.
RJD chief and spokesperson Shakti Yadav, nonetheless differed from his ally associate’s assertion and mentioned: “Lord Ram is an emblem of religion. The structure teaches us religion. Ram is is in all places and exists in everybody. One can debate on the epics written by people however one can’t query the existence of Ram. Ram, Krishna and Shiva are the beliefs of our wealthy tradition. It’s not proper to query the existence Ram.”
JDU spokesperson Abhishek Jha additionally condemned the assertion of Manjhi and mentioned that lately it’s seen that statements are given on the idea of faith and epics, giving a flawed message within the normal lots.
“Our precedence isn’t faith. It’s BJP who does politics on the idea of faith and takes benefit of it. Our social gathering shouldn’t be involved about such subjects and statements. Our principal focus is improvement and respect to all faith,” Jha mentioned.
Manjhi’s controversial statements prior to now
Manjhi has been within the information earlier than for making controversial statements after turning into the chief of the state. Final 12 months too, Manjhi raised questions on the existence of Lord Ram.
In a program on Ambedkar Jayanti in Jamui district, he mentioned that “Lord Ram was God, he was only a character of Tulsidas and Valmiki Ramayana. Many good issues have been written in Ramayana, that’s why we imagine in it, however have no idea Ram.” He additionally mentioned that he didn’t worship idols however worship nature and he worshiped Mata Shabri.
In keeping with Manjhi, a lot of the Dalit and backward caste individuals are being despatched to jail within the identify of prohibition and that’s why he’s demanding liquor ban in Bihar on the strains of Gujarat. He mentioned that IAS-IPS additionally drink alcohol in Bihar, when you additionally wish to drink alcohol at night time, then drink it after 10:00 pm.
On 18 December 2021, in a convention, he made controversial remarks on Pandits. He mentioned “now Lord Satyanarayan is worshiped at our place in each tola. It’s so shameless, don’t you’re feeling ashamed that…. Pandits come and say that they won’t eat something at your house, give all the pieces in money.”
Manjhi had additionally given controversial remarks on three leaders. Whereas giving a press release on Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and Chirag Paswan, he had mentioned that each time there’s any form of disaster within the nation or Bihar, these three leaders of the nation go for honeymoon.
Manjhi additionally mentioned that the higher caste individuals are foreigners and the descendants of the Aryans, they got here right here from overseas. Solely Adivasis and Dalits are indigenous folks of the nation, he added.
SP, RJD statements on Ramcharitmanas
On twelfth January, 2023 whereas addressing the scholars on the fifteenth convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open College, RJD minister Chandra Shekhar described Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti as books that divide society.
“Why was the Manusmriti burnt? It’s as a result of it has insulting remarks in opposition to a big part of the society. Why was Ramcharitmanas resisted? It’s as a result of it speaks in opposition to the correct of the decrease caste folks to entry training. It says decrease caste folks flip toxic in the event that they obtain training, simply as a snake turns into venomous after ingesting milk,” the minister mentioned.
Following swimsuit, Samajwadi Occasion chief and MLC Swami Prasad Maurya sparked a significant controversy after he demanded the deletion of “insulting feedback and sarcasm” focused at specific castes and sects in Ramcharitmanas, a poem primarily based on the epic Ramayana.
The SP chief had mentioned, “I don’t have any problem with Ramcharitmanas however elements of it have insulting feedback and sarcasm directed at specific castes and sects. These needs to be eliminated.”
Political ramifications
CNN-News18’s Political editor Marya Shakil sees this as a political alternative which might result in caste polarization.
“General if we take a look at the politics of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, they’re taking a look at extra of a caste mobilisation whereas BJP is taking a look at spiritual mobilisation. These states mixed collectively ship 120 MPs within the Lok Sabha and therefore political axis smart, U.P and Bihar has been very essential, that’s the reason why with this narrative of Lord Ram is rising from these states,” she mentioned.
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