BJP leaders in Patna forced folk singer Devi to apologise for singing “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, …” during a programme held to commemorate the birth centenary of former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A day after folk singer Devi was forced to publicly apologise by BJP leaders for singing Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic bhajan, “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram”, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) describing it “hypocrisy” and “intolerance”.
She shared a video of the incident on social media, condemning the BJP’s actions.
“BJP leaders forced folk singer Devi ji to apologise for singing Bapu’s favourite bhajan. “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patit Pavan Sita Ram”. They offer flowers to Bapu to show off to the world but in reality they have no respect for him. They take the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar to show off but in reality they insult him,” said Priyanka Gandhi.
The Congress leader asserted “BJP hates our tolerant and inclusive culture and tradition so much that they insult our great men again and again”.
Folk singer Devi was performing at an event to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and sang the bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” when BJP leaders objected to her.
Following their intervention, Devi issued a public apology, stating, “If I have hurt anyone’s feelings, then I apologise.”
After her apology, Devi stepped down from the stage and left the event.
The incident involving Bhojpuri folk singer Devi occurred on December 25 during a programme at Bapu Auditorium in Gandhi Maidan, Patna, organised to commemorate the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Earlier, Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad Yadav condemned BJP leaders for allegedly forcing prominent folk singer Devi to apologise for singing Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic bhajan.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) in Patna, when the singer sang Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Patit Pavan Sita Ram,” Nitish Kumar’s fellow BJP members created a ruckus. The bhajan hurt the feelings of those (tucche) people who thought it was cheap. Bhajan singer Devi had to apologise for singing this bhajan,” Yadav said.
