Bhopal: A controversial statement made by well-known storyteller Pandit Pradeep Mishra, where he compared Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Lord Shiva, sparked a political row in Madhya Pradesh. While the Congress party has slammed the statement, the BJP has rallied in support of Mishra.
An Insult to Lord Shiva: Sharma
Congress leader and former minister P.C. Sharma condemned the comparison. He said that "Lord Shiva is eternal and beyond comparison. He has no avatar. This entire matter is an insult to Lord Shiva."
Sharma further said, "Let him narrate his stories, but don't involve politicians by comparing them to divine figures. Sanatan is our culture, and no one should be allowed to harm it."
No place for politics in devotion: BJP
Reacting to Congress's statement, BJP spokesperson Lieutenant Ishan R said, "Congress keeps raising issues unnecessarily. Politics should not be played with matters of devotion. Pandit Mishra has expressed his personal feelings, and there is no need for further statements. It's his personal belief, and he is simply voicing it."
Amit Shah-Shiva comparison
Pandit Pradeep Mishra made headlines when, during a Shiv Mahapuran Katha held in Madhubani's Singheswar, he compared Amit Shah to Lord Shiva. He said, "Our Home Minister Amit Shah is an embodiment of Lord Shiva. His silence and peace are like Shiva’s calm before the storm, but soon, we will witness his 'Tandav'—a force that will bring an end to terrorism."
This statement has stirred a wave of political and religious debate, with both sides defending their positions. While Congress sees it as disrespect to Lord Shiva, the BJP claims that it is a personal expression of admiration and should not be politicized.
Prakash Kumar Pandey