A new controversy has emerged in Bihar, sparked by the placement of posters in front of the residence of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav. These posters, erected by RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh, characterize temples as a "path to mental slavery," giving rise to a heated debate in the state.
The contentious posters, put up to commemorate the birth anniversary of social reformist Savitri Bai Phule, feature a quote attributed to her that underscores temples as a "path to mental slavery," juxtaposing them with schools, which are regarded as the route to "enlightenment in life." Notably, the posters prominently showcase images of Lalu Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav.
The political landscape in Bihar has been stirred by these posters, leading to a distancing by leaders from the Janata Dal-United (JDU), an alliance partner of the RJD. JDU leader Neeraj Kumar expressed uncertainty about the origins and intent of the posters, emphasizing that religious matters are deeply personal and should be addressed on public platforms. He urged any discussions on such issues to encompass all rituals, highlighting the need for consistency in approach. Importantly, Kumar clarified that the controversial posters were not official representations of the RJD.
As of now, the RJD leadership has refrained from making any comments regarding the controversy surrounding the posters, leaving the issue open to speculation and further discourse.
