The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing mounting criticism following the submission of an affidavit to the Supreme Court that allegedly references the killing of Shambuk, a Shudra, by Lord Ram, a statement that has ignited widespread outrage on social media and been labelled by critics as “anti-Hindu.”
The controversy erupted after excerpts from the affidavit began circulating online, suggesting that the BJP had cited the episode, drawn from certain interpretations of Hindu mythology, as part of its legal argument. Thousands of users on X (formerly Twitter) have condemned the reference, accusing the party of distorting sacred Hindu texts and undermining religious sentiment.
The hashtag #हिंदू_विरोधी_भाजपा (Anti-Hindu BJP) quickly gained traction, with users, activists, and commentators denouncing the affidavit as historically inaccurate and politically motivated. Many claimed the party, which has long positioned itself as a champion of Hindu interests, is now complicit in misrepresenting Hindu scriptures for legal or political convenience.
“This is a calculated misreading of our sacred epics. The BJP must be held accountable for introducing such distortions in the country’s highest court,” wrote one prominent user. Others accused the party of betraying the very cultural and religious foundations it publicly claims to protect.
The reference to Shambuk , a character from later versions of the Ramayana who is said to have been killed by Lord Ram for violating the norms of caste dharma, has long been the subject of theological and scholarly debate. While some schools of thought interpret the episode as a reflection of the social order of its time, others view it as a later interpolation used to justify caste-based discrimination. Its invocation in a legal document has now triggered deeper concerns about the role of mythological narratives in contemporary jurisprudence.
Legal experts and scholars have warned that introducing such interpretations into judicial proceedings risks inflaming religious sensitivities and undermining constitutional principles.
As the BJP remains silent on the issue, the controversy continues to intensify online, with political rivals seizing the opportunity to question the party’s ideological consistency. “If this is not hypocrisy, what is?” one opposition leader wrote. “The BJP talks about Ram Rajya but cites verses that insult the legacy of Ram.”
The Supreme Court has not yet commented on the matter, and it remains unclear whether the affidavit will be amended or withdrawn. Meanwhile, the issue has further polarized public discourse, reinforcing long-standing tensions between religion, caste, and politics in India’s legal and cultural landscape.
