'Ram Wasn't God, But A Mythical Character': Ex-Bihar CM's Remarks Trigger Controversy

Manjhi’s comments came a few days after different parts of the country went through multiple clashes on the occasion of Ram Navami.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 15 Apr 2022 10:57 PM (IST)

'Ram Wasn't God, But A Mythical Character': Ex-Bihar CM's Remarks Trigger Controversy 'Ram Wasn't God, But A Mythical Character': Ex-Bihar CM's Remarks Trigger Controversy

Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi | File Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Thursday that Lord Ram was not God, and he was just a character built by Tulsidas and Valmiki. He asserted that Ram was a mythical character and “not a god.”

Manjhi was speaking at an event in Jamui district on the occasion of Dr. BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.

"Why do the upper caste people not follow the example to shun the practice of untouchability? I don't think Lord Ram was a god. But he was a character of Valmiki's Ramayana and Ramacharitmanas penned by Goswami Tulsidas. Both works contain valuable teachings," Manjhi who belongs to the Musahar community was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

#WATCH | Jamui: Ex-Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi says, "Ram wasn't a God. Tulsidas-Valmiki created this character to say what they had to. They created 'kavya' & 'mahakavya' with this character. It states a lot of good things & we revere that. I revere Tulsidas-Valmiki but not Ram.." pic.twitter.com/ayrQvSfdH1
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2022

He also said that everyone should take lessons from Ram’s character as he ate Shabri’s half-eaten fruits. Shabri is considered to be a cultural icon by Dalits.

Manjhi’s comments came a few days after different parts of the country went through multiple clashes on the occasion of Ram Navami.

His statements were taken bitterly by BJP as Bihar’s former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said, “It is laughable to call oneself a 'vanshaj' (descendant) of Shabari but cast doubts on the existence of the one she worshipped."

BJP spokesperson and OBC Morcha general secretary Nikhil Anand also took a jibe at Manjhi by asking him if he was an atheist and if not then “which god does he believe in.”

Manjhi and his party Hindustani Awam Morcha, are a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.