Akhilesh Yadav Tells Media To Bury SP Leader's Controversial Statement On Goddess Lakshmi, Encourages Party Members To Focus On Caste Census

In the aftermath of Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya's controversial post on Goddess Lakshmi receiving criticism, party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has asked the media to bury it.

Akhilesh Yadav stated, "The stand of the Samajwadi Party on religion is clear. There should be no discussion about it... but keep talking about caste census. If someone is giving such a statement about religion, then you (media) don't show it."

Swami Prasad Maurya had earlier raised questions about the birth of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi

Maurya stated, "While worshipping and honouring wife on the occasion of Deepotsav, I say that every child born in every religion, caste, race, colour and country of the whole world has two hands, two legs, two ears, two eyes and a nose with two holes. There is only a head, stomach and back. If a child with four hands, eight hands, ten hands, twenty hands and a thousand hands has not been born till date, then how can Lakshmi be born with four hands?"

The Samajwadi leader further said that his comments are of a practical nature, based on truth, scientific and not hinged on someone's imagination.

In conversation with ANI, Maurya stated, "I had not spoken about four arms alone, I also spoke about eight arms, ten arms, 1000 arms — no such child has ever been born in the country. If it did happen, I challenge them to tell me and I will accept it."

Maurya further added, "we can make somebody with 1,000 arms or 20 arms or 10 arms on the basis of our imagination. Imagination is just imagination. I said what is practical, based on truth, scientific and Sanatan too. I also spoke as per Sanatan Dharma and I said that people must respect their wives as she is the 'Grih Laxmi' in the real sense."