New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya has again sparked a controversy by questioning the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.


His remarks in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council on Wednesday faced strong criticism from Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak. Several SP leaders also came out openly against their party colleague.


During his address on the governor's speech, Maurya raised doubts about the need to spend crores of rupees on the "Pran Pratishtha" (consecration ceremony) of Ram Lalla on January 22, considering Lord Ram has been worshipped in Ayodhya for centuries.


Reacting to Samajwadi party leaders condemning his statement, Maurya said, "There might be a few agents of the BJP in the party. Otherwise, none of the other leaders, big or small have objected to what I have said as there was nothing against the dignity of lord ram..."






BJP Attacks Maurya Over His 'Ram Temple' Statement


Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya blamed SP President Akhilesh Yadav for his party member's comments, holding him responsible for any divisive statements made.


Speaking to reporters, the deputy chief minister said, "The Samajwadi Party is going to become the Samaptwadi party in 2024. It will be due to Akhilesh Yadav. Because if anyone says anything in this party, he cannot do so without the orders of the SP chief. Hence, I hold Akhilesh Yadav responsible for any such statement."


"If he (Yadav) does not agree with anyone's statement, he should take action against him (Maurya). And if he does not take action, then only SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is responsible for whatever poisonous statements are coming," he added.


Brajesh Pathak also expressed dismay over Maurya's remarks, especially considering the significance of the inauguration of the Ram temple. He emphasized that such statements would not be forgiven by God and would face consequences from the people.


Pathak said, "The whole world is celebrating the inauguration of the grand temple of Lord Ram. God will never forgive him (Maurya) for making such statements on such an occasion. The people of the country and the state will definitely teach them a lesson when the time comes."


SP Leaders Condemn Maurya's Statement


Maurya's statement was also condemned by his party colleagues.


SP's chief whip in the Assembly Manoj Kumar Pandey condemned Maurya in very harsh words. He criticized Maurya for his lack of mental balance and refusal to heed party directives.


Talking to reporters, he said, "I do not want to give any statement on what he (Maurya) has said. A person who does not have mental balance keeps making such statements. The party has repeatedly asked him not to do so, but when a deranged man does not want to listen to instructions, no one can do anything."


SP general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav said, "There should be no propaganda on religion, it should be practised," but did not elaborate.


He dismissed the BJP's claims of Akhilesh Yadav's involvement in Maurya's statements, accusing the BJP of always lying.


Aradhana Mishra, Congress Legislature Party leader, asserted that no one should be allowed to hurt religious sentiments. "Maurya's statement may be his personal opinion," she added.


What Was Swami Prasad Maurya's Statement?


In his address, Maurya had said, "In the governor's address, there has been a lot of applause regarding Ram Lalla's Pran Pratishtha. It seems as if Ram Lalla did not exist before the BJP government came to power. On one hand, it is said that Shri Ram is the lord of crores of people in the country, on the other hand, the BJP is hurting the sentiments of people and enacting such a drama as if it has brought Ram.


"While it is known to the world that Ram has been worshipped there (Ayodhya) for thousands of years, where does the question of Pran Pratishtha arise? When Ram Lalla has been worshipped there for thousands of years, what was the justification for spending billions and trillions of rupees on the consecration ceremony again? I question this. Ram Lalla, who was already there, should have been taken and installed in the temple. Where did this consecration come from?" The SP leader said the ceremony was a programme of the BJP. "The organiser of the program was the BJP, the chief guest was from the BJP, the arrangements were made by the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Apart from these three, who else was there? It was not a cultural or government programme. It was a programme of the BJP, RSS and VHP," he said.