Bihar MLA distributes swords at puja pandals, BJP defends as ‘part of custom’

The BJP MLA Mithilesh Kumar has defended his act of distributing swords along with copies of the epic Ramayana at every Durga Puja pandal in his constituency, Sitamarhi, Bihar, after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress expressed concerns about potential violence, deeming it a provocative gesture.

In a video that has circulated widely, Kumar was seen handing out copies of the Hindu epic Ramayana alongside swords at various puja pandals. Defending his actions, he asserted that worshipping arms during Durga Puja was a traditional practice and that distributing religious texts was also part of the celebrations. He urged the public not to politicise what he described as a customary act, The Indian Express reported.

The opposition has strongly opposed the MLA's actions. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari expressed concern over the potential for the distribution of swords to send dangerous signals, while senior Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra questioned the sources from which the MLA had acquired such a large number of swords, suggesting that distributing religious texts would have been acceptable but swords represented a step too far.

In contrast, the BJP has defended the initiative, with Union Minister Giriraj Singh asserting that there is a historical connection between arms and religious texts in Sanatan Dharma. Party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar remarked that the criticism reflects an overreaction to a religious practice.

A leader from BJP's ally, Janata Dal (United), acknowledged that while the distribution of swords could be seen as part of religious customs, it is important that such actions remain discreet and not overtly provocative.