Varanasi, August 8, 2025 — A special MP/MLA court in Varanasi has stirred up a storm by directing the Uttar Pradesh police to file an FIR against Swami Prasad Maurya, the leader of Apni Janta Party and former Samajwadi Party figure, for his controversial remarks on the Ramcharitmanas and its author, Tulsidas. The decision, made on August 7, 2025, has reignited debates over Maurya’s statements from two years ago, which many found offensive to Hindu sentiments.
Court’s Ruling Sparks Controversy
The court’s order came after a petition by BJP leader and advocate Ashok Kumar, who challenged Maurya’s comments from a January 22, 2023, interview. Maurya had called the Ramcharitmanas “nonsense” and claimed Tulsidas wrote it “for his own pleasure.” He also urged the government to ban the revered Hindu text or remove its “objectionable portions,” alleging they insulted certain communities. The Varanasi court, led by Special Judge Yajuvendra Vikram Singh, instructed the Cantonment police to register a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, overturning an earlier rejection of Kumar’s petition in October 2023. Kumar had filed a criminal revision petition, which led to this fresh directive.
Maurya’s History of Legal Troubles
This isn’t Maurya’s first brush with controversy. In 2023, Lucknow’s Hazratganj police filed a chargesheet against him for similar remarks on the Ramcharitmanas, accusing him of promoting enmity and hurting religious feelings. Another FIR was lodged in Pratapgarh in February 2023, though the Supreme Court stayed those proceedings in January 2024, questioning the criminality of Maurya’s opinions. More recently, in March 2024, a court ordered an FIR against him for allegedly mocking goddess Lakshmi, further fueling accusations of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. Maurya’s remarks have consistently drawn ire from Hindu groups, with complaints filed in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
Political Reactions and What’s Next
Maurya, who quit the Samajwadi Party in February 2024 over ideological differences with Akhilesh Yadav, has faced multiple legal battles, including a 2014 case for allegedly insulting Hindu deities and a 2019 assault case involving his daughter, Sanghamitra Maurya. His critics, including BJP supporters, argue his statements are deliberate attempts to stir unrest. The latest court order has set social media ablaze, with many calling for swift police action. The Cantonment police are expected to file the FIR soon, potentially escalating Maurya’s legal woes.
As this case unfolds, it’s clear Maurya remains a polarizing figure in Uttar Pradesh politics, with his words continuing to spark heated debates.
