‘Be cautious of Pseudo-Hinduvaad’: Bihar education minister on Ram Temple

Bihar education minister Chandra Shekhar has stirred controversy with his latest remarks on Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. On Sunday, Shekhar defended a recent controversial poster on the Ram Temple, which was put up by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh.

In an interaction with the media, Shekhar stated "If you get injured, where will you go? Temple or hospital? If you want education and want to become an officer, MLA, or MP, will you go to a temple or school?"

"Fateh Bahadur Singh (RJD MLA) said the same thing that had been said by Savitribai Phule. What is wrong here? He quoted Savitribai Phule. Isn't education necessary?...We should be cautious of pseudo-Hinduvaad and pseudo-nationalism...When Lord Ram resides in each one of us and everywhere, where will you go to look for him?...The sites that have been allocated have been made into sites of exploitation, used for filling the pockets of a few conspirators in society...," he added.

Recently, RJD MLA Singh had put up the controversial poster stating “The meaning of temple is the path to mental slavery, while the meaning of school is the path towards light”.

The poster also carried pictures of senior RJD leaders like Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, encouraging people to join the birth anniversary celebration of India’s first woman teacher Savitri Bhai Phule and further said: “When the bell in the temple tolls, it gives us a message that we are heading towards superstition, hypocrisy, foolishness and ignorance; while the bell in the school points towards logical thinking, scientific approach and march towards light. It is for you to decide which way you want to head.”

This has caused a massive controversy and was condemned by BJP, saying it “aimed at hurting Hindu sentiments with provocative remarks”.