Controversy Over ‘Ishwar-Allah Tero Naam’ Bhajan in Patna: Singer Apologizes Amid ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Chants at BJP Event

On Thursday, during the Atal Jayanti celebrations in Patna, Bihar, a controversy erupted over Mahatma Gandhi’s bhajan “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.” The singer, Devi, had to apologize amidst the commotion. The situation calmed down only after chants of “Jai Shri Ram” were raised, allowing the program to resume.

RJD Leader Lalu Prasad Yadav Expresses Discontent

Reacting to the incident, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav raised objections. He stated that when Gandhi’s bhajan was sung by BJP allies of Nitish Kumar, it led to unnecessary chaos. He criticized the actions, saying they hurt the sentiments of less-informed individuals.

Former Union Minister Organizes ‘Main Atal Rahunga’ Event

On December 25, former Union Minister and BJP leader Ashwini Choubey organized the ‘Main Atal Rahunga’ program at Bapu Auditorium in Patna.

Singer Faces Backlash for Singing ‘Ishwar Allah Tero Naam’ During Atal Jayanti Event

Singer Devi, invited to perform at the Atal Jayanti program, faced strong reactions during her performance. While she chanted slogans like “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Atal Bihari Vajpayee Amar Rahe,” her rendition of the bhajan Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram included the line ‘Ishwar Allah Tero Naam,’ which led to an uproar among 60-70 young attendees present at the venue.

The attendees, visibly agitated, stood up and began chanting “Jai Shri Ram” in protest.

Singer’s Apology and Organizers’ Intervention

In response, Devi attempted to clarify, saying, “God belongs to all of us, and my only intention was to remember Ram.” However, her words failed to pacify the crowd. Organizers stepped in to mediate, but the situation remained tense.

Realizing the intensity of the backlash, Devi apologized, saying, “If I have hurt your sentiments, I am truly sorry.” Even after her apology, several attendees left the hall while continuing their protests.

To calm the situation, Devi joined in chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” The organizers reminded the audience that everyone present was a child of Bharat Mata and should represent unity. This intervention finally helped restore order, allowing the program to continue.

Protesters Displayed a Narrow Mindset, Says Singer Devi

Following the controversy, singer Devi shared her perspective with Bhaskar, describing the incident as unexpected. “This is Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite bhajan. Everyone was asked to sing after the tribute. Initially, even those on stage couldn’t understand what was happening. Later, it became clear that the outrage was over the mention of ‘Allah’ in the bhajan,” she explained.

Devi further noted that even BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain was present on stage at the time, emphasizing that there was no basis for the uproar.

Singer Devi’s Statement

“I felt uneasy, wondering if anything I said had hurt someone. That’s why I apologized. I couldn’t fathom why this bhajan could spark a controversy. There was no pressure on me to apologize, but I chose to do so out of respect. Even the event organizer, BJP leader Ashwini Choubey, seemed nervous. The protesters have demonstrated a narrow mindset.” – Devi, Folk Singer

Prominent Leaders Attend Atal Jayanti Event in Patna

The Atal Jayanti celebration in Patna saw the presence of several prominent leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, Dr. C.P. Thakur, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, Darbhanga MP Gopalji Thakur, and BJP leader Sanjay Paswan. Their participation highlighted the significance of the event.