Lucknow: A video of a scuffle between supporters of Ayodhya’s Mahant Raju Das and Samajwadi Party leader Swami Maurya at a five-star hotel in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow surfaced on social media on Wednesday. The viral video shows supporters of Samajwadi Party leader and Hanuman Garhi Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya, jostling and fighting during an event organized by a private TV news channel.
The scuffle allegedly took place in the lobby of the hotel where both the parties had come to attend the event. While Maurya accused Mahant Raju Das and Paramhans Das of attacking him with spears and swords, the saints said that dozens of Samajwadi Party workers attacked them.
The video of the scuffle between the two sides is being shared widely on Twitter by several users.
Samajwadi Party Leader and MLC #SwamiPrasadMaurya And #MahantRajuDas Of #Hanumangarhi, #Ayodhya clashed in the program of #ABP news channel running in five star hotel #Lucknow, #UttarPradesh, #Samajwadi Party #RamcharitManas #ABPLive pic.twitter.com/TQzHlyWoZy– Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) February 15, 2023
Mahant Raju Das also said that he would file an FIR against Maurya and his supporters for assault. Swami Prasad Maurya is facing criticism for his controversial remarks on the Hindu epic Ramcharitmanas. He was recently shown black flags in Varanasi and the controversy sparked anger within his own party over his remarks.
Supporters of Mahant Raju Das said the seer was invited to participate in a live debate. He reached the spot with 3-4 of his supporters while the SP leader was accompanied by dozens of people.
As the two sides confronted each other, it was alleged that Maurya’s men passed some objectionable remarks on the seer, which enraged his supporters. It all happened as a result of a scuffle. However, both sides later denied the claims of inciting their supporters to violence.
It is notable that Mahant Raju Das of Hanuman Garhi had announced a loot of Rs 21 lakh to the person who beheaded Swami Prasad Maurya. Mahant was angered by the remarks made by Maurya against Ramcharitmanas and its author Goswami Tulsidas.
Maurya – former UP minister and SP leader – recently courted controversy by alleging that some verses of the Ramcharitmanas insulted a section of the society.
Despite his criticism, Maurya remained adamant and said, “I will continue to oppose conspiracies to insult tribals, Dalits, backward and women in the name of religion. Like an elephant unperturbed by barking dogs and not changing its course Yes, I will not change my attitude towards getting respect for those people (tribals, dalits, backwards and women).”
He was later appointed general secretary of the Samajwadi Party, a move sharply attacked by the BJP.