Keeping up with UP this week means keeping up with who said what about Lord Ram.
In the lord's name, two rows with a political twist dominated state politics — one from a godman, one from a constitutional body — both spiralling into caste and religion before 2027 assembly polls.
Row 1: Bageshwar Baba divides gods?
It started with a viral clip from Karera, Shivpuri (MP). Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri, darling of BJP's Hindutva base, at a Ram Katha compared appearances: “Ram stood straight, Krishna was crooked in three places (tribhangi) and played flute with neck bent.”
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav jumped. Nov 3, he posted: “Who are these anti-Sanatana elements acting at behest of political masters? First video about Krishna, now disrespect about Ram's father. His programmes should be cancelled. Now true Sanatanis will write his parchi.”
Yadav linked Shastri to BJP's Ram temple politics: “BJP members looted Ram temple; this ally hurled abuse at our Krishna.”
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RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, eyeing Yadav-Muslim consolidation in Bihar-UP belt, added: “These hate-mongers used to divide people; now they divide even gods. Modi and BJP leaders protecting him should prostrate and apologize to Sanatanis.”
BJP's counter: Sudden love for Krishna ahead of elections. Spokesperson Naveen Srivastava said, "Akhilesh and Tejashwi remembered Krishna only when elections near." Digvijaya Singh called Shastri "fool" during his Satya Sanatan Swabhiman Yatra to Ayodhya.
BJP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar escalated, saying if SP returns, "he will have namaz offered inside Ram Mandir as he did at Hanuman Garhi." Context: Akhilesh plans family visit to Ayodhya Dec 12 and promised to make it global Sanatan capital if SP wins 2027.
Why it hurts BJP? Bageshwar Baba draws lakhs; any criticism splits core vote. SP, traditionally seen as anti-Ram Mandir, now positions as true Sanatani defender — flipping BJP script.
Row 2: CEO's 'Thank God' post
Parallel row erupted Oct 27 from UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa's official X handle.
Anomaly in Allahabad-Jhansi Graduate MLC voter list: name "Ramhit Yadav" wrongly auto-transliterated by software as "Ram ne Yadav ko maara" (Ram killed Yadav). AAP MP Sanjay Singh asked: “Why did Ram hit only Yadav, not Singh, Pathak, Sharma? Is computer casteist?”
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CEO replied with another error: "Ram ne Sharma ko maara" also exists, “computers/software not casteist. Thank God Ram did not kill any minority, otherwise there would be accusation of communalism too.”
AAP and Congress's Supriya Shrinate called it sarcastic, communal. CEO deleted and apologised next day: "Tone and tenor not in line with official handle. Genuine outrage noted. Communication henceforth decorous and formal." ECI directed all officials to stick to facts.
One software bug translating names literally became caste-plus-minority debate, exposing SIR (Special Intensive Revision) distrust.
In UP, even voter roll error must thank god.
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