Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, known for his contentious statements, addressed the furor surrounding his “Hindu ek dhoka hai” (Hinduism is a betrayal) comment by highlighting similar assertions made by prominent figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Maurya, speaking at the National Buddhist and Bahujan Rights Conference in New Delhi, referred to historical statements, citing, “In 1955, the Supreme Court explicitly mentioned that Hinduism is not merely a religion but a way of life encompassing over 200 belief systems. Mohan Bhagwat has iterated this viewpoint not once but twice. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed that Hinduism isn’t merely a religion.”
He emphasized that when these figures made similar assertions about Hinduism, there was no uproar or offense taken. Maurya questioned the inconsistency in reactions, stating, “But when I articulate the same sentiment, suddenly the entire nation is in turmoil. I’m echoing what the Indian Constitution has highlighted.”
Furthermore, Maurya pointed out a political facet, alleging exploitation of Bahujan communities by the upper echelons of the Hindu hierarchy. “The Hindu upper classes utilize the Bahujan vote bank to ascend to power. However, post-elections, they negate reservations for these communities,” he elaborated.
Highlighting the dichotomy between pre-election promises and post-election actions, Maurya underscored, “The eight percent comprising Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas cannot independently form a government. They exploit the backward classes, assuming the Hindu identity for electoral gains. But once in power, they neglect the same community, an evident betrayal.”
He emphasized the cancellation of reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and backward castes after gaining power, exposing the disparity between political promises and actions.
Maurya’s discourse aimed to draw attention to the dual narrative surrounding Hinduism and its manipulation for political leverage, prompting reflection on the disparity between professed ideologies and implemented policies within the political landscape.
