Yogi Adityanath faces flak for calling Hanuman a dalit

ALWAR: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath sparked a controversy by claiming that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit while campaigning in Malakheda (Alwar) — a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes.

“Bajrang bali hamari bharatiya parampara mein ek aise lokdevta hain jo swayam vanvaasi hai, girvasi hain, Dalit hain, vanchit hai (Hanuman was a tribal, a forest dweller, a Dalit and was deprived)...,” said Yogi, adding those who are Ram Bhakt should vote for BJP while those who believe in Ravana should vote for Congress.

Taking exception to his statement, Suresh Mishra, president of Sarv Brahman Mahasabha, has sent a legal notice to Adityanath demanding unconditional apology for his utterances.


“Whatever Yogi has said is an insult to Hinduism. Lord Hanuman is all powerful God. He can’t be termed deprived and Dalit. We seek unconditional apology else we will move the court,” he said. The BJP has pitched Adityanath in constituencies that have a considerable Muslim population, a ploy that political observers say is aimed at consolidating Hindu votes.

There is great demand for Adityanath from BJP candidates. He is scheduled to hold 21 rallies in Rajasthan, the highest for any star campaigner from outside the state. Political analysts believe his presence in campaigning may boost the winning chances of the BJP at a time when it is battling anti-incumbency.