Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, who has further ignited a raging controversy over the epic Ramcharitmanas, has refused to withdraw his objectionable remarks, saying it was his “personal opinion”. Maurya – a popular OBC leader from UP, while justifying his remarks – believed that he had spoken on a particular verse in a Hindu epic poem and not about Lord Ram or any religion.
Maurya refused to retract his remarks, saying that his remarks were made in his “personal capacity” and not as a member of the SP. The SP leader said, ‘While giving the statement, I had said that this is my personal statement.’
Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party faced embarrassment and embarrassment after Maurya made controversial remarks on the epic poem written by a great saint – Goswami Tulsidas.
Maurya recently courted controversy by alleging that certain verses of the Ramcharitmanas “insulted” a large section of society on the basis of caste and demanded that these be “banned”.
Asked if he still stood by his statement, the SP leader replied, “Have I said something wrong that I will go back? I respect all religions, but don’t abuse any religion or anybody.” Can’t be allowed… I have.” Only the part where derogatory remarks have been made about women, tribals, dalits and backward classes has been talked about banning that part. I have said to remove only those parts of the chaupai.
Asked about the SP leaders who criticized his statement, Maurya said, “Those who have opposed me belong to a certain section of the society,” and drew attention to their surnames. He said, people are associating the comments with Lord Ram, Bhagwan, Dharma and Ramcharitmanas. This shows their narrow mindedness.
A case has been registered against him at Hazratganj police station. In response, Maurya said, “Now the utensil is calling the kettle black. I am the one who is pleading and I am being abused.”
Maurya further claimed that he was demanding the government to ban the offensive words. He said that those who are speaking against him in the media belong to that class of people who abuse. “The class which is abused is not against me,” he said. The former cabinet minister of the state claimed that 80 per cent of the people on social media are with him.
The epic Ramcharitmanas, written in the Awadhi language, is based on the Ramayana and was composed by the 16th-century Bhakti poet Tulsidas.
(With PTI inputs)