Patna: The RJD is facing severe backlash following a controversial poster put up by one of its MLAs Fateh Bahadur.
The poster commemorating the birth anniversary of social reformist Savitri Bai Phule features a quote from her, describing “temples as symbols of mental slavery and schools as beacons of enlightenment” was put up outside former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s official residence in Patna on Monday.
Notably, the poster also had the images of RJD Chief Lalu Yadav, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
The incident escalated into a major political controversy, especially with less than a month left for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The opposition BJP strongly criticised the grand alliance partner RJD and the INDIA bloc over the issue.
Several BJP leaders have demanded immediate removal of the poster and a response from RJD chief Lalu Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
Reports also suggest that RJD ally JD(U) is also upset and distanced themselves from the controversial poster.
Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and Central Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai condemned the INDIA bloc stating that the quote used on the poster was against the Sanatan Dharma and has hurt the sentiments of religious followers.
The BJP leaders emphasised the significance of temples as “symbols of cultural freedom”.
“By putting up the posters outside Rabri Devi’s residence the RJD has hurt the sentiments of people who follow Sanatan Dharma. The controversial poster has been put up at a time when people are preparing to visit Ayodhya for the inauguration of Ram temple”, Nityanand Rai said in a statement.
The Central minister also raised questions on the silence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the issue. He said, “The RJD is trying to do politics of appeasement by putting such posters. People of Bihar won’t accept this and the entire INDI alliance will get a befitting reply during elections”.
In response to the allegations, RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said that the BJP was trying to twist the issue for political gains. He emphasised that “the RJD firmly upholds the principles of equality. The BJP lacks the capabilities to understand the essence of Savitri Bai Phule’s quotes. The BJP is needlessly framing the poster as an assault on temples by the RJD for political gains”.
