Patna, Bihar – A heated controversy unfolded at a program marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna, where renowned Bhojpuri singer Devi was performing. The incident occurred when Devi sang the popular bhajan "Raghupathi Raghav Raja Ram," which led to a disruption during the event.

The controversy escalated when Devi began to sing "Ishwar-Allah Tero Naam," which angered several young workers in the audience. They stood up, shouting "Jai Shri Ram" in protest, claiming that the inclusion of the words "Allah" in the bhajan was inappropriate for the occasion. The tension grew, and the organizers had to intervene, but the situation did not calm down until Devi apologized and clarified that her intent was to promote unity and peace among all religions.

BJP Workers Protest, Lalu Yadav Reacts

The incident has sparked political backlash, with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav criticizing the BJP’s response. In a tweet, Yadav slammed BJP leaders for overreacting, stating, "When the singer performed a bhajan dedicated to Gandhi ji, BJP workers created a ruckus. The emotions of narrow-minded individuals were hurt by the words of 'Ishwar' and 'Allah.' The singer had to apologize."

The program, organized by the Atal Vichar Parishad and former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, was intended to honor both the centenary of Vajpayee and the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malviya. Amid the commotion, Devi, who had been scheduled to perform other songs, expressed regret and apologized to the audience, saying, "If anyone was hurt, I apologize. My purpose was only to sing about unity, not to hurt anyone’s feelings."

Devi's Apology and Shift to a New Song

As the protestors continued their chants, Devi responded with an impromptu performance of Sharda Sinha's song, "Chhathi Maiya Ayi Na Duariya," before leaving the stage, as she had a scheduled flight to catch.

In a later conversation with reporters, Devi explained that she never intended to upset anyone, and that her song was meant to promote harmony across all religions. She acknowledged the diverse emotions among the audience and reiterated her belief in humanity as the highest form of religion. She concluded, "If my words caused any distress, I am truly sorry."

Political Ramifications and the Ongoing Debate

The incident has further fueled political discourse, with various groups accusing each other of exploiting the situation for their own agendas.

While BJP leaders have voiced their concerns, the RJD has criticized the overreaction. The controversy has also raised questions about cultural sensitivity in public events, especially when celebrating national figures like Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

As the event concludes, the incident has sparked an ongoing debate about religious unity, respect, and political manipulation in Bihar, leaving the future of similar public events under scrutiny.

'ईश्वर-अल्लाह तेरो नाम' जैसे ही बोला..

बिहार: पटना में 25 दिसंबर को 'मैं अटल रहूंगा' कार्यक्रम का आयोजन किया गया. जिसमें अधिकांश बीजेपी के मंत्रियों और नेताओं को बुलाया गया था. वहां लोक गायिका देवी ने जैसे ही 'रघुपति राघव राजा राम' गाया कुछ लोगों ने हंगामा शुरू कर दिया और जय… pic.twitter.com/FdoXrz1eU5

— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) December 26, 2024