NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya has courted controversy once again and, this time, he has said that ''Hinduism is not a religion but just a deception.'' In a video shared by news agency ANI, the Samajwadi Party leader cited RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's past remarks highlighting that ''there is no religion called Hinduism but instead, it is a way of living.''


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"Hindu bus ek dhokha hai...RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has said twice that there is no religion called Hindu but instead, it is a way of living. Prime Minister Modi has also said that there is no Hindu religion...Sentiments don't get hurt when these people make such statements but if Swami Prasad Maurya says the same, it causes unrest..." Maurya was quoted as saying by ANI in a video.


 



 


Samajwadi Party leader's remarks have once ignited a heated discussion and prompted diverse reactions from various quarters.


Impact On the Hindu Community


Maurya's statement challenges the core identity of the Hindu community, raising concerns about the potential repercussions on its members. Many individuals and religious leaders within the community have expressed their displeasure and condemned the assertion as misleading and disrespectful.


In response to Maurya's statement, Swami Chakrapani said, "Swami Prasad Maurya is spewing venom. The vessel of his sins is now full... It's time to run a bulldozer over him. We request the Chief Minister of the state to take a bulldozer action on him. Instead of taking action against him, Akhilesh Yadav has promoted him... His name is Swami Prasad Maurya, but his work aligns with that of a venomous Maulana. He resides here in India bus speaks like a Pakistani." 


Condemning his statement, UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said strict action should be taken against Maurya. He is a public figure and he should refrain from making such statements that hurt the religious sentiments of a majority of people, Rai added.   


Debate Over Definition Of Religion


This incident has fuelled a broader debate about the definition of religion and how different communities perceive and practice their faith. Scholars, theologians, and religious experts are engaging in discussions to dissect the implications of such statements on religious harmony and understanding.


Calls For Clarification and Apology


In response to the backlash, there are calls from the Hindu outfits demanding clarification on the intent behind Maurya's words. Additionally, some have demanded a public apology, citing the potential harm caused by such a sweeping declaration about a major religious tradition.


It may be recalled the Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has consistently advised leaders of his party to refrain from making any comments related to caste and religion, but this directive seems to have had little effect on Swami Prasad Maurya.


Now, it remains to be seen how Swami Prasad Maurya responds to the assurance given by Akhilesh Yadav to Brahmins, Rajputs and other upper caste communities during the recent Samajwadi Party gathering, where efforts were made to unite Brahmins.