Now Reading: Kirti Azad Ram Temple remarks spark row with BJP leaders
-
01
Kirti Azad Ram Temple remarks spark row with BJP leaders
The Story in Brief
TMC MP Kirti Azad triggered a political row on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, by saying he would never visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya because of how Lord Ram treated Goddess Sita after her agni pariksha. Azad, who represents Bardhaman-Durgapur, said Sita was his mother and that Lord Ram sent her away despite her passing the test. He said he worships Maa Kali and other Hindu deities.
BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi countered by accusing Azad of insulting Sanatan Dharma, invoking the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Patna, BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel called Azad a 'nastik' who forgot the 'sanatani' tradition. Azad, a former BJP MP and 1983 World Cup winner, was expelled from the party after a fallout with Arun Jaitley and later joined the TMC in 2024.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both ET and ToI report Kirti Azad's refusal to visit the Ram Temple and his criticism of Lord Ram's treatment of Sita. ET leads with the political exchange, quoting BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi accusing Azad of insulting Sanatan Dharma. ToI leads with the controversy and adds local reaction from BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel, who calls Azad a 'nastik'. ToI also includes Azad's background as a former BJP MP and his explanation of his devotion to Maa Kali, showing he remains a Hindu. ET omits this context, framing the story as a direct clash. Both give Azad's main argument prominence. The difference is in how much context each gives to Azad's position: ToI provides more of his religious background, while ET highlights the BJP counter.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
