Dalits Seek Possession of All Hanuman Temples After Yogi Adityanath Claims Bajrang Bali Was a Dalit

Agra, December 1: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's claim that Lord Hanuman, popularly known as Bajrang Bali, was a dalit, has triggered a new controversy. Encouraged by Yogi Adityanath's comment, Dalits in Agra sough possession of all Hanuman temples across the country. They demanded that management of all Hanuman temples be handed over to them.

According to a report, a group of Dalits, led by Congress leader Amit Sigh, on Thursday reached the Hanuman temple at Langre Ki Chowki on Delhi-Kanpur highway. They were wearing janeu (sacred thread) and raising slogans like Dalit Devta Hanuman Ki Jai (long live Dalit god Hanuman). They said it was the chief minister who informed tham that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit. Yogi Adityanath Takes a Dig at Kamal Nath Video, Says 'Congratulations to Them For Ali, But We Have Bajrangbali'.

"We were not aware that Lord Hanuman was from our community. It was the chief minister who communicated this to us during his speech last week. Now, all Hanuman temples should be handed over to us," Singh told Hindustan Times. Taking a dig at Adityanath, Singh said: "We didn't know that gods we prayed to are associated with any caste."

During a poll rally in Malakheda of Alwar district in poll-bound Rajasthan, on Tuesday, Adityanath had said, "Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west". "This was his resolve as it was Lord Ram's wish. Just like him, we should also not rest till we fulfil that wish," he added.

Nand Kumar Sai, chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, on Thursday claimed: "In Kurukh, language spoken by people tigga (a gotra) means monkey. In the Kanwar tribe, which I belong to, there is a clan called Hanuman...Therefore, I believe they belonged to the tribals and accompanied Lord Ram in the big war."

A right-wing group called Rajasthan Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha has sent a notice to Adityanath, accusing him of dragging Lord Hanuman's caste for political gain for the BJP in the state where assembly polls will be held on December 7.

The notice reads, "I am saddened that UP chief minister called Lord Hanuman deprived. His statement has hurt religious sentiments of several devotees. Those who are deprived they get strength to fight the odds. It is a sheer attempt to take political mileage in election".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).