The remark by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh that the Goddess Durga was imaginary has triggered a controversy in Bihar. His comment came at a time when RJD chief Lalu Prasad, along with his family members, recently visited several temples in Bihar to worship the Goddess Durga during Navratri.
The Opposition BJP came down heavily on the RJD for the objectionable remark and condemned the statement, terming it minority appeasement. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Mr. Prasad were testing the tolerance of the Hindus by allowing their leaders to issue such statements.
Few months ago, Bihar Education Minister and senior RJD leader Chandrashekhar had triggered a controversy by stating that the Ramcharitmanas, an epic poem based on the Ramayana, Manusmriti, an ancient Sanskrit text, and Bunch of Thoughts, authored by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ideologue M.S. Golwalkar, “spread hatred in society”.
