Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya and Mahant Raju Das of Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya reportedly got into a physical fight in Lucknow on Wednesday. The incident took place in the lobby of a five-star hotel where they had both come to attend a news conclave organised by a TV channel.
The argument between the two escalated and resulted in physical violence, necessitating the intervention of security personnel to separate them.
The cause of the dispute was Maurya’s alleged objectionable remarks on Ramcharitmanas, which led to Das offering a reward for Maurya’s head. Following the altercation, Das claimed that he was attacked by Maurya’s supporters and said that he would file a complaint against him.
Maurya later wrote to Lucknow Police Commissioner alleging that Mahant Raju Das, Mahant Paramhans Das of Tapaswi Chhawni Temple, and their supporters tried to attack him. He alleged that they were carrying swords and axes.
Swami Prasad Maurya drew flak for his alleged objectionable remarks on Ramcharitmanas. The controversy is reportedly creating internal divisions within the party. Some upper-caste SP legislators earlier voiced their objections to Maurya’s statement and even threatened to leave the party if action was not taken against him.
MLA from Amethi Rakesh Pratap Singh said that anyone who questioned Sanatan Dharma cannot be a Samajwadi. He also stated that he would continue to oppose those who make derogatory comments against Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
SP spokesperson Roli Mishra Tiwari also spoke out against Maurya’s remarks, stating that as a follower of Sanatan Dharma, she would not accept what Maurya has said. Tiwari also voiced her fears of an attack on her and her family for coming out in support of Ramcharitmanas. She requested protection from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Both Singh and Tiwari claimed that the party leadership was supporting Maurya on the issue, and they are upset that the party is backing a casteist benefit and insulting religion. These internal divisions are now a cause for concern for the Samajwadi Party as they head into the upcoming elections.