Lucknow, 12 Feb: The controversy caused by senior SP politician Swami Prasad Maurya over offensive Ramcharitmanas passages has now engulfed the Samajwadi Party itself. Upper caste MLAs in the SP have begun to react to Swami Prasad Maurya’s comments and have vowed to leave the party if action is not taken against him.
“Whether I continue in politics or not, whether I remain a lawmaker or not, whether I get a ticket or not. When my religion is called into question, I will not remain silent,” said Rakesh Pratap Singh, MLA from Amethi. He stated that anyone who makes disparaging remarks about Sanatan Dharma cannot be a Samajwadi.
“A Samajwadi cannot utter unforgivable words against Lord Ram. Such words can only be made by someone who is mentally ill,? he stated.
SP spokesman Roli Mishra Tiwari has also spoken out against Maurya’s comments. She has urged that Swami Prasad Maurya be prosecuted. “I am a Brahmin and a Sanatan Dharma devotee, and I will not accept what Maurya has said. I remained silent because I assumed he was speaking in his own capacity, but it now appears that this is the party’s official position,? she stated.
Mishra has demanded security from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fearing an assault on her over the remarks. She posted that a significant number of chaotic people on social media are criticising her for supporting Ramcharitmanas. “I am concerned about any physical assault on me. My husband is stationed at the border, and I have two little children. I require protection,? she posted on Twitter.
Both leaders claim to be concerned because they have discovered that the party leadership is now siding with Maurya in the dispute. “It is apparent that the party leadership sees the matter as a casteist gain and has no qualms about disrespecting religion,” they stated.
