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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad, who stirred controversy with his comment suggesting that “Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian,” has issued an apology following widespread backlash. His initial statement had sparked uproar, prompting Awhad to clarify his stance and express regret, emphasizing that he did not intend to offend anyone’s sentiments.
Awhad’s earlier assertion about Lord Ram’s dietary habits during his exile had caused a stir, drawing sharp opposition from Chief Priest Acharya Satyendra Das. Das refuted Awhad’s claims, emphasizing that there was no scriptural evidence supporting the notion of Lord Ram consuming non-vegetarian food during his exile, contrary to Awhad’s assertions.
Expressing disapproval, Acharya Satyendra Das denounced Awhad’s statements, asserting that such falsehoods should not be used to demean Lord Ram, who, according to him, always adhered to a vegetarian diet as per the scriptures.
Awhad’s controversial remarks were made during an event in Shirdi, Maharashtra, where he proclaimed Lord Ram’s alleged non-vegetarianism, associating it with a broader socio-political narrative. These statements triggered strong reactions, including a formal complaint filed by BJP MLA Ram Kadam against the NCP leader in Mumbai.
Kadam criticized Awhad’s remarks, alleging an intention to hurt the sentiments of Ram devotees and accusing the NCP of leveraging religious sentiments for political gain, particularly after the construction of the Ram Mandir.
The NCP leader’s comments didn’t just face opposition from political quarters but drew criticism from Hindu seers as well. Ayodhya Seer Paramhans Acharya condemned Awhad’s statements, describing them as contemptuous and hurtful to Lord Ram’s devotees. The seer urged both the Maharashtra and central governments to take stringent action against those disrespecting Lord Ram.
Additionally, the seer’s strong words took a more extreme turn, issuing a warning of severe consequences if appropriate action was not taken against Awhad, stating a readiness to take matters into his own hands if the situation wasn’t addressed promptly.
The controversy surrounding Awhad’s comments on Lord Ram’s dietary preferences has escalated into a call for action by religious leaders and political figures, emphasizing the need for respect and sensitivity towards religious sentiments in public discourse.
