PATNA: Jagdanand Singh, the president of Bihar’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), stirred controversy on Wednesday by asserting that Sanatana Dharma promotes caste-based discrimination. Singh further stated that this discrimination led to the subjugation of a section of the population and played a role in the country’s subjugation under those who displayed ‘tika and chandan’ on their foreheads.
Singh maintained that if BJP leaders are willing to engage in a debate on Sanatana Dharma, they would eventually find themselves exposed and compelled to backtrack. He emphasized the connection between this subject and the need for reservations.
When questioned about his statement by the media on Thursday, Singh stood by his remarks, stating, “We also believe in Sanatana Dharma. We also know a lot of things. But the BJP leaders are trying to mislead the people of the country, and it is not appropriate.”
In response, former Union Minister and BJP National Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad declared that his party would not tolerate insults to “Hindu faith and philosophy.” Prasad questioned whether there was a conspiracy during the recent meeting of the INDIA bloc in Mumbai to insult the Hindu faith, asserting that such actions are driven by vote bank politics. He demanded a response from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi regarding this matter.
The controversy began when Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son and minister, stated that Sanatana Dharma opposes equality and social justice. He likened Sanatana Dharma to COVID-19 and malaria, calling for its eradication. In response, the JD(U), an ally of the opposition grand alliance, attempted to downplay the controversy, emphasizing the importance of respecting all religions.
