PATNA: JDU Friday criticised protests that erupted over a rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous bhajan ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ by folk singer Devi at an event marking birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee here on Dec 25, with the audience objecting to the line ‘Ishwar allah tero naam’ in the bhajan. JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar questioned the objections raised by a section of the audience.
The protest grew so strong that the singer had to apologise. “I’m sorry if anyone was hurt by my recital. Bhagwan sabke hain.” She also referred to Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) but was unable to keep the crowd quiet. She then modified the lyrics to ‘Shri Raghunandan Jai Siyaram, Janaki Vallabh Sita Ram’ to control the situation.
“There is no greater devotee of Ram than Mahatma Gandhi. Bullets were fired at him and he exclaimed ‘Hey Ram’. BJP’s manifesto mentions ‘Gandhian socialism’, implying that those protesting the bhajan lyrics may not fully understand their own party’s ideology,” Kumar said.
Kumar also raised concerns about the protesters’ understanding of Indian history and their behaviour. “If they have objections over certain references, why do they visit mosques to offer chadars?” Kumar asked, pointing out contradictions in their actions. Former Union minister Ashwini Choubey, along with other prominent politicians like deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, C P Thakur, Shahnawaz Hussain, Gopalji Thakur and Sanjay Paswan were present at the event.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday criticised BJP and wrote on X, “Sanghis and BJP hate the name and slogan of ‘Jai Siyaram, Jai Sitaram’ because it praises Mata Sita. These people are anti-women from the beginning, and with the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ they insult half of the population, women.”