Mumbai: Renowned poet Kumar Vishwas has stirred controversy with remarks targeting Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha’s inter-faith marriage with actor Zaheer Iqbal. Speaking at an event in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Vishwas commented that parents should teach their children scriptures like the Ramayana, warning that failing to do so might lead to someone else “taking away the Lakshmi” from their homes.
A video of his speech has gone viral, sparking outrage on social media. In the clip, Vishwas takes an apparent dig at Sonakshi’s marriage and her father, veteran actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha. He said:
“Teach your children the names of Lord Ram’s brothers and Goddess Sita’s sisters. Teach them Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. Otherwise, even though your house is named Ramayan, someone else might take away the Shri Lakshmi of your household.”
The remarks were widely criticized, with many accusing Vishwas of making a derogatory comment about someone’s personal life. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate condemned his statement, calling it “cheap” and “misogynistic.”
Shrinate tweeted, “Kumar Vishwas’s comment is not just inappropriate; it’s an insult to every woman and her family. Dragging someone’s personal life into a public event for laughs is distasteful.”
Social media users echoed similar sentiments, labeling the poet’s remarks as offensive and outdated. Many pointed out that such comments perpetuate regressive attitudes towards women and inter-faith marriages.
Neither Sonakshi Sinha nor Zaheer Iqbal has publicly responded to the controversy. However, fans of the couple have rallied behind them, calling for respect for their personal choices.
