New Delhi: An event in Patna marking the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a dramatic turn on Wednesday when a folk singer’s rendition of the bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” sparked protests.
Devi, the singer, started performing the bhajan, which is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, when a section of the audience voiced their disapproval. She tried to calm the situation by modifying the lyrics, replacing “Ishwar Allah Tero Naam” with “Shri Raghunandan Jai Siya Ram, Janaki Vallabh Sita Ram.” However, the protests continued.
At one point, a man on stage whispered something to the singer. This prompting her to stop and explain, “God belongs to all of us, I intended to remember Ram.” One of the event organisers intervened, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and assuring the crowd, “Her intention was right.”
देश का पता नहीं लेकिन बिहार को भाजपा कार्यकर्ता ग़लत दिशा में ले जा रहे हैं, पटना में एक भोजपुरी गायक ने गांधी जी का लिखा हुआ ईश्वर अल्लाह तेरा नाम गीत एक समारोह में गा दिया वहाँ मौजूद कार्यकर्ताओं ने उनके ख़िलाफ़ हूटिंग की, उनको मंच पर ही माफ़ी माँगनी पड़ी..अश्विनी चौबे को भी… pic.twitter.com/2rvxSsPyjg
— Vinay Kumar (@hislopia) December 26, 2024
Singer apologises
Faced with growing protests, Devi apologised, saying, “I sang this song for Lord Ram. You know, our Indian culture is inclusive. Hindus are the ones who accept everyone. If anyone is hurt by this, I apologise.” She said that Hinduism teaches acceptance of all religions, quoting the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). “Jai Shri Ram,” she added. After that, Devi performed a Chhath song by the late Padma Bhushan awardee Sharda Sinha before leaving the stage.
Devi defends performance
Speaking to the media later, Devi expressed her belief in the inclusive nature of Hinduism. “Hinduism accepts everyone. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are all brothers. We must prioritise humanity above all,” she said. Regarding the controversy, she said, “Ishwar and Allah are simply different names for God. Some people may have been offended by the word ‘Allah,’ but they must understand that humanity transcends religious boundaries.”
The event, titled “Main Atal Rahunga,” was held at Patna’s Bapu Auditorium to honour both Vajpayee and freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder of the Hindu Mahasabha.
Lalu Yadav reacts
Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav criticized the BJP, claiming that its supporters have an aversion to the slogan “Jai Siyaram, Jai Sitaram” because it references Mother Sita.
“In Patna, when a singer performed Gandhi Ji’s hymn, ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patit Pavan Sita Ram’, BJP allies of Nitish Kumar created an uproar. The narrow-minded and petty individuals felt their sentiments were hurt by the hymn. The singer, Devi, had to apologise,” Lalu Yadav said in a post on X. “BJP and its supporters have always been anti-women, and by using the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram’, they also insult half the population,” the RJD supremo wrote.
