This is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi has been depicted as Lord Rama for political gains. While in 2019 similar posters had come up in Bihar Amethi also witnessed similar poster wars in 2018. The Congress, which has lost ground in UP after successive electoral defeats has been desperately trying to find foothold before 2027 assembly elections. The main opposition Samajwadi Party has been maintaining safe distance from the Congress as its past alliance experiences have not been fruitful, writes M Hasan
Lucknow, October 3: After Congress leader Udit Raj’s PM-Ravan analogy on October 3, posters of Rahul Gandhi portrayed as Lord Rama have emerged outside office of UP Congress Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly put up by the Congress party. This follows burning of effigy of Lord Rama in Trichy in Tamil Nadu in which the local police have arrested one person. Earlier in the day, Udit Raj had called PM Modi “a real Ravan,” accusing him of ignoring the people’s voices. The issue has turned into major political controversy as the BJP has accused the Congress of being anti-Rama.
According to information the hoarding put up outside the UPCC office depicting Rahul Gandhi as Lord Rama with bow and arrow in his hand sparked controversy between the Congress and the state BJP. Th state Congress president Ajay Rai has been depicted as Laxaman. And both were shown slaying Ravana whose face bore the words “vote chor,” while his other heads were labelled ED, corruption, price rise, and Election Commission.
The Congress hoarding in Lucknow was just in contrast to what happened in southern state of Tamil Nadu where a video showing a group of men burning an effigy of Lord Ram and chanting slogans in praise of Ravana has led to the arrest of one person in Trichy. The footage, which was posted on social media handles of ‘Fifth Tamil Sangam’, quickly went viral and prompted police action. In the video, the men can be seen setting fire to the effigy of Ram while shouting “Praise Lord Ravana”. The clip also contained a graphic showing a ten-headed Ravana carrying a veena replacing the burnt effigy of Ram. The Tamil Nadu BJP has strongly condemned the incident and demanded stern action.
The TN Cyber Crime Police registered a case under sections 192, 196 (1)(a), 197, 299, 302 and 353 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following enquiries, officers arrested 36-year-old Adaikalaraj on Thursday and said they are continuing their search for others involved. The Police have also issued a stern warning against the creation or circulation of such posts, assuring that strict legal action will be taken against those found responsible.
In Lucnow sharply reacting to the UPCC hoarding the BJP alleged that Congress leaders, who did not visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, are claiming to be Ram.
“Jo Ram drohi hain, jo sanatan ka samman karna nahi jante, jo Ram ka darshan karne nahi gaye, dukhad hai ki who apne ko Ram ke roop mein darsha rahe hain (Those who are anti-Ram, who do not know how to respect Sanatan Dharma, who did not even do darshan of Ram (in Ayodhya), it is sad that they are trying to project themselves as Ram today),” said BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi. Alleging that Congress and its leaders are in the habit of disrespecting Hindu gods and goddesses, Tripathi challenged Congress and its leaders to do the same with he gods of other communities.
National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Vice-President Aryan Misha, who put up the hoarding and posters outside Congress headquarters, advised the BJP not to become the “thekedar (caretaker) of Hindus”. It claimed there is nothing wrong with the hoardings as Rahul Gandhi is only working towards bringing “Ram Rajya”. “The banner rightly projects Rahul Gandhi as Lord Ram and state president Ajay Rai as Laxman. It is Rahul Gandhi who is actually doing ‘Ram Kaj’ (work of Ram) by fighting hatred and corruption. BJP leaders only talk of Ram for their personal benefit but do not believe in his idealism,” he said. The Congress State President Rai said, “The representation is symbolic and describes the feelings of not just Aryan but of crores of youth in the country, who are troubled by the ills of corruption, price rise, vote chori etc and are looking towards Rahul ji to finish these ills. However, instead of understanding the true sentiments of the youth, the BJP is doing politics of negativity and hatred like they always do.”
This is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi has been depicted as Lord Rama for political gains. While in 2019 similar posters had come up in Bihar in Amethi also witnessed similar poster wars in 2018. The Congress, which has lost ground in UP after successive electoral defeats has been desperately trying to find foothold before 2027 assembly elections. The main opposition Samajwadi Party has been maintaining safe distance from the Congress as its past alliance experiences have not been fruitful.
(M Hasan is former Chief of Bureau Hindustan Times, Lucknow).
