On Thursday, the MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jitendra Awhad apologized for his remark that “Lord Ram was non-vegetarian”, has sparked rage from the right wing as well as the devotees, who are looking forward to the inauguration of Ram Temple on January 22, 2024.
Many have sought legal action against the MLA and others were protesting for hurting the religious sentiments of the people. After the controversy sparked criticism, he defended his statement and offered an apology.
Why did MLA make such remarks?
After the MLA kicked up a massive controversy, he mentioned the research and interpretations of Ramayana he has done. He said, “Look, I am telling you I did not bring my views on it. I did not incorporate ideas of my own. I based my opinion on whatever is written in Valmiki Ramayana”.
The MLA said that he has an ‘authentic version’ of the Ramayana written 1,800 years ago. Stressing over his remark, he did not misinterpret it, he outlined the six khands (chapters) of the Valmiki Ramayana– Ayodhyakand, Kishkindakand, Aranyakand, Balakand, Yudhkand, and Sunderkand. “The Valmiki Ramayana has six khands… My remarks were based on the verses from Valmiki Ramayana…Lord Ram belongs to us, Bahujans. He used to hunt and eat animals,” said the MLA.
He further added, “They are trying to make everyone a vegetarian by giving Lord Ram’s example. But Lord Rama was not a vegetarian, he was a non-vegetarian. A person who stayed in exile for 14 years- where will he go to find vegetarian food?”
After such remarks, a massive protest was done by Ajit Pawar, the faction of the NCP protested outside of Awhad’s residence with chanting slogans. Moreover, the other opposition leaders also got enraged over his remark.
Oppositions’ Reaction
This morning, the BJP MLA Ram Kadam with a poster of MLA Awhad which they repeatedly hit with slippers, filed a complaint against the NCP leader. “It is a mindset to hurt the sentiments of Ram bhakts… The realization of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya doesn’t seem to have gone down well with the arrogant alliance,” said Mr Kadam.
Moreover, the Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy called it ‘unnecessary’, and the Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav condemned the remark as ‘hurting the feeling of devotees’ and provoking ‘communal tension’. Likewise, several opposition leaders reacted to Awhad’s remark and stated about facing complex situations in the future.
Possible Outcomes
Jitendra Awhad’s remark that ‘Lord Ram was non-vegetarian’ has created several political issues like internal criticism, increased polarization in the political landscape and serious social and legal tensions.
Ultimately, Awhad defended himself and offered an apology. But his remarks struggled to quell the growing storm. As Awhad’s statement cast a shadow over the party and dragged it into the controversy that they sought to avoid. However, the actual intention behind Awhad’s statement remains unclear. Only the time and further statement will tell the actual motive of the story.
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