Swarajya Logo
Swarajya Logo
Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Our Views
    Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Magazine
  • Store

About Swarajya

Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited.

Swarajya - a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.

editor@swarajyamag.com

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Participate

  • Contact Us
  • Write for us
  • Style Guide
  • Jobs

Stay Connected

  • Artboard 2 Copy 6Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 10Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 7Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 9Created with Sketch.
  • Andriod Logo
  • IOS Logo

News Headlines

Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar Calls Ramcharitmanas Potassium Cyanide, Cites Baba Nagarjun, Lohia

Nishtha AnushreeFriday, September 15, 2023 12:56 pm IST
Bihar Education Minister and RJD leader Chandra Shekhar
Bihar Education Minister and RJD leader Chandra Shekhar
Bihar Education Minister and RJD leader Chandra Shekhar

Bihar's Education Minister Chandra Shekhar, once again found himself in a controversial situation when he likened Ramcharitmanas, a Hindu religious text based on the Ramayana, to potassium cyanide.

During an event on Hindi Diwas (14 September), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said, "If you serve 56 kinds of dishes and mix potassium cyanide into it, would you eat it? The same analogy applies to the scriptures of Hinduism."

Scientifically speaking, exposure to potassium cyanide can cause headaches, confusion, dizziness, anxiety, pounding of the heart, and even unconsciousness and death. It can also cause nosebleeds and sores in the nose and changes in the blood cell count.

He further noted that numerous authors, including Baba Nagarjun and Lohia, have also criticized these scriptures. Chandra Shekhar expressed his strong objection to Ramcharitmanas, emphasizing that his stance on it would persist throughout his life. He cited remarks made by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat on the same subject.

Additionally, Professor Chandra Shekhar remarked, "Unless the caste system is abolished in this country, there will continue to be a need for reservation and a caste census."

In response to these statements, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) directed criticism towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. BJP spokesperson Neeraj Kumar questioned whether Nitish Kumar was aware of Chandra Shekhar's continuous controversial comments about Ramcharitmanas. He also suggested that if the minister had a problem with it, he should consider changing his religion.

Chandra Shekhar has previously also stirred controversy with his comments about Ramcharitmanas. In January, he asserted that Ramcharitmanas "spreads hatred in society" and argued that it contributes to division and animosity. He specifically mentioned that certain parts of Ramcharitmanas opposed education for Dalits, backward communities, and women, which had led to criticism and opposition.

Tags
Education Minister
Chandra Shekhar
Ramcharitmanas
Hindu scriptures

Comments ↓

An Appeal...


 

Dear Reader,

 

As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

 

Our business model is you and your subscription.  And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

 

We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

 

Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

Get Swarajya in your inbox.


Magazine


Swarajya Magazine Cover Image
Merchandise

Merchandise


    Politics

    Not Like The Old Times: BJP's Feeble Victory In Rajasthan (Part I)

    Not Like The Old Times: BJP's Feeble Victory In Rajasthan (Part I)

    Venu Gopal Narayanan
    3h

    "Not Winning Solely On Modi's Popularity": Prashant Kishor Lists Out Four Reasons For BJP Victories In Three States

    Nishtha Anushree
    5h

    AIADMK Leadership Dispute: Madras High Court Rejects Sasikala's Bid For AIADMK Interim General Secretary Status

    Bhuvan Krishna
    8h

    Economy

    India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

    India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

    Nishtha Anushree
    9h

    Sensex Surpasses 69,000 For First Time As Investor Confidence Surges Post BJP Sweep In Three States

    Bhuvan Krishna
    11h

    Sensex, Nifty Close At All-Time High After BJP Victories In Three States, Record Surge Of Over 2 Per Cent

    Nishtha Anushree
    1d

    Defence

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Navy Struck Pakistan's Naval Fleet At Karachi, Sank PNS Ghazi At Visakhapatnam, And Decimated Tanks In Longewala

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Navy Struck Pakistan's Naval Fleet At Karachi, Sank PNS Ghazi At Visakhapatnam, And Decimated Tanks In Longewala

    Ujjwal Shrotryia
    6h

    On This Day, In 1971, Indian Air Force Struck Pakistani Installations For The Second Straight Day, Setting Stage For Historic Naval Raids On Karachi

    Ujjwal Shrotryia
    1d

    IAF's Mighty 'Mi-26,' Able To Lift Chinooks, Set For Overhaul With Russian Help

    Ujjwal Shrotryia
    1d

    World

    Moody's Downgrades China's Credit Ranking From Stable To Negative Citing Continuous Contraction Of Property Sector

    Moody's Downgrades China's Credit Ranking From Stable To Negative Citing Continuous Contraction Of Property Sector

    Nishtha Anushree
    6h

    Not Enough Joining US Military: Here's An Interesting Solution By A Senator — Let Illegal Immigrants Join, In Exchange For Citizenship

    Swarajya Staff
    11h

    Chinese Economic Crisis Deepens As Debt Defaults Reach Record High

    Swarajya Staff
    1d

    Culture

    'Celebrate At Home': Champat Rai Of Ram Janambhoomi Trust Urges Hindus Not To Visit Ayodhya On 22 January

    'Celebrate At Home': Champat Rai Of Ram Janambhoomi Trust Urges Hindus Not To Visit Ayodhya On 22 January

    Bhuvan Krishna
    12h

    'Animal': Sandeep Reddy Vanga 2 – Liberals 0

    K Balakumar
    3d

    Why The Insidious Anti-Hindu Communalism Of Certain Directors Goes Scot-Free

    Anonymous Contributor
    3d
    States

    infrastructure


    Arun Kumar Das
    1

    Delhi-Meerut-Ghaziabad RRTS: Power Supply Commences Beyond Priority Section On Rapid Rail Corridor

    2 Mins Read
    Amit Mishra
    2

    Groove On The Go: Delhi Metro Unveils Pilot Project For Audio Ads And Jingles

    1 Mins Read
    Amit Mishra
    3

    Vadnagar: Airport In The Works For PM Modi's Hometown, Central Team To Study Feasibility

    2 Mins Read
    Amit Mishra
    4

    Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor Achieves 67 Per Cent Completion, On Course For 2025 Deadline

    2 Mins Read