SP leader's comments on Hanuman Katha spark religious sentiment row in Kanpur Dehat

A Samajwadi Party leader's comments on Lord Hanuman have triggered a political controversy in Kanpur Dehat. Amar Singh Pal, the SP district vice president, raised questions from a public platform about the Hanuman Katha and the birth of Makardhwaj, prompting the BJP to attack the SP by framing it as an issue related to religious sentiments.

The incident took place at a programme organised at Mati Eco Park where Amar Singh Pal, addressing the gathering, referred to the Ramayana and Hanuman Katha. During his speech, he raised questions using scientific arguments about the narrative of the burning of the golden Lanka and the birth story of Hanuman's son Makardhwaj.

Citing his own jewellery business, Amar Singh Pal said that gold does not burn. He also questioned the religious narrative connected to Makardhwaj's birth and appealed to people to think on the basis of logic and facts.

But the SP leader's statement has now become a political issue. BJP leader Anil Shukla Warsi launched a sharp attack on Amar Singh Pal, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. Warsi said that such comments on matters related to religious faith cannot be accepted. He alleged that these people are holding meetings and spreading poison in society, and issued a warning saying if Rajaram Pal and Amar Singh Pal have the courage, they should speak against the Muslim religion and see if their heads are not separated from their bodies. Earlier, a video of Rajaram Pal had also become a topic of discussion on social media, and hurt by his statements, Bajrang Dal workers had burnt an effigy of former MP Rajaram Pal. Now Amar Singh Pal is also in the headlines because of his statements.

The BJP has also levelled allegations regarding Amar Singh Pal's jewellery business. The BJP is now continuously seen attacking the SP over this entire matter.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party district president Arun Kumar Bablu has tried to distance the party by calling Amar Singh Pal's statement his personal view. He said that the SP national president respects all religions.

BJP former MP and Mahant Parshuram Nyyas representative Anil Shukla Warsi also gave a byte on the issue.

Overall, the SP leader's comment on Lord Hanuman is no longer limited to just a religious debate, but has become a new issue of political battle in Kanpur Dehat. While the BJP is cornering the SP by linking it to faith and Hindu sentiments, the SP is trying to avoid political damage by calling it the leader's personal statement. It remains to be seen how much this controversy escalates further and whether any action is taken in this matter by the administration or police.