6th June 2023, Mumbai: A controversial statement made by Arjun Singh Kakodia, a Congress MLA from Seoni district in Madhya Pradesh, has recently surfaced and gained widespread attention, with the accompanying video going viral. In his remarks, Arjun Singh referred to Lord Shankar, a revered deity in Hindu mythology, as a tribal. He stated that a tribal individual had bestowed life upon the world by consuming poison during the churning of the ocean.
According to Arjun Singh, during the mythological event of the ocean churning, both poison and nectar emerged. While the wise partook in the nectar, Lord Shankar, known as Bhole Bhandari, residing in the Himalayas, drank the poison. In his view, this act symbolized the tribal society, culture, and way of thinking. Arjun Singh further emphasized that these individuals were deeply cherished and respected, with a special place in the hearts of the people, rather than being neglected.
Arjun Singh did not stop at referring to Lord Shankar as a tribal. He also designated Hanuman, a beloved figure in Hindu mythology, as a tribal. He recounted an incident where Hanuman, when questioned about his devotion to Lord Ram, tore open his chest to reveal that he held Lord Ram in his heart, emphasizing the deep reverence and love that the tribals have for their deities.
These statements by Arjun Singh have emerged at a crucial time as assembly elections are scheduled to take place in Madhya Pradesh later this year. The political leaders have swiftly shifted into election mode, adopting various strategies and tactics to win over voters. Currently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, holds power in the state.
Article by PRITESH PATEL