A controversy has risen over the comments made by Bihar Education Minister Professor Chandrashekhar on the holy Hindu books of Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti. The Bharatiya Janta Party has asked for the immediate removal of the minister from the Bihar cabinet.
Several leaders slammed the minister for his comments against the Hindu scriptures.
When asked to react to the statement, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he does not know anything about the entire matter.
Backlash Over Comments
Union minister Ashwini Choubey demanded ousting of Bihar's education minister saying, "Such an unknowledgeable minister has no right to remain an education minister. He should be removed from the post."
Talking exclusively to ABP News, former Bihar deputy CM Sushil Modi said that Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav must clear their stand on the statement. The leader also demanded removal of Chandrashekhar from his ministerial berth.
Attacking the minister for his comments, Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya on Wednesday demanded that the Minister should be sacked from his post. He also declared a reward of Rs 10 crore to anyone who chops off Chandrashekhar's tongue.
Talking to the news agency ANI, the seer said, "The way Bihar's Education Minister has described Ramcharitmanas book as a book that spreads hatred, the whole country is hurt by it, it is an insult to all Sanatanis, and I demand legal action for this statement. That he should be sacked from the post of minister within a week. And he should apologise, if this does not happen, then I declare a reward of Rs 10 crores, to the one who will chop off the tongue of Bihar's Education Minister Chandrashekhar."
He added that Ramcharitmanas is a book that connects and not divides, a book to establish humanity.
"It is the form of Indian culture, it is the pride of our country. Such comments on Ramcharitmanas will not be tolerated," he said.
Another seer termed the minister as uncivilised and backed the demand for his removal from the state cabinet.
"Bihar's Education Minister Chandrashekhar is an uneducated, uncivilised person who does not know anything about Ramcharitmanas. Ramcharitmanas is meant to connect the whole society. Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is the soul of every Indian," he said.
He further added, "They are doing the work of hurting the religious sentiments of the majority society. And they are working to hurt the religious sentiments of the 'Sarva-Hindu' society. We all have objections to this. Lord Ram is the pinnacle of decorum (Maryada Ki Parakashtha). God has taught the whole world the lesson of dignity, humanity and life."
Minister Says Won't Apologise
"Many good things are also said in Ramcharitmanas but sayings that create hatred and division should be opposed. I am still standing strong on my statement, instead (BJP) should ask for apologies," the Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar said in his Ramcharitmanas remark.
The Controversial Statement
The minister on Wednesday stoked a controversy after he claimed that Ramcharitmanas, an epic Hindu religious book which is based on Ramayana, "spreads hatred in the society". He was addressing the students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University.
He described Ramcharitmanas and Manusmriti as books that divide society, reported ANI.
"Why was Manusmriti burnt, because many abuses were given in it against a large section. Why was Ramcharitmanas resisted and which part was resisted? Lower caste people were not allowed to access education and it is said in the Ramcharitmanas that lower caste people become poisonous by getting an education as a snake becomes after drinking milk," he questioned.
Chandrashekhar said Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas are books that spread hatred in society as it prevents Dalits-backwards and women in society from getting an education.
"Manusmriti, Ramcharitmanas, Bunch of Thoughts by Guru Golwalkar... these books are books that spread hatred. Hatred will not make the country great, love will make the country great," added Chandrashekhar.