Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], January 1 : Congress leader Nana Patole on Thursday lashed out at critics over backlash to his statement comparing Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram, saying those who responded without understanding his statement have "lost their mental balance".
Speaking to ANI, Patole said, "What I said in my statement needs to be understood first. Those who respond without understanding my statement have lost their mental balance. I do not wish to talk about such people."
A controversy has erupted after Patole compared Rahul Gandhi to Lord Ram, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies.
On Wednesday, Nana Patole, while addressing the question of Rahul Gandhi not visiting the Ram Temple, said that the Congress is doing the work of Lord Ram.
Patole told ANI, "Our leader Rahul Gandhi is doing the work of Lord Shri Ram. You know that Lord Shri Ram worked for the oppressed, the suffering, the deprived. Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, is doing the same work throughout the country; his fight to give justice to the people of the country has begun. When Ram Lalla was locked, our late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had ordered the gates to be opened. When Rahul Gandhi visits Ayodhya, he will offer prayers."
Nana Patole has earlier also drawn criticism for comparing Rahul Gandhi to the Hindu deity. In October 2022, during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Nana Patole said that it is a "coincidence" that both of their names begin with "R", but the Congress party does not compare Rahul Gandhi with Lord Ram.
"Even Lord Sri Ram also walked (PadaYatra) from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and even Shankaracharya walked the same way, and so is Rahul Gandhi doing in the form of a padayatra. People are joining him, so it's not a comparison with Lord Ram but a coincidence that both Lord Ram and Rahul Gandhi's names begin with "R". But we don't compare Rahul with Lord Ram while BJP leaders compare their leaders with God. God is God, and Rahul Gandhi is a human being, and he is working for humanity, and it can be seen by everyone," Patole had said.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, including CR Kesavan, who called his statement a "grievous insult" to Hindu sentiments.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also slammed Patole for drawing a comparison between Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Lord Ram, calling it a "ridiculous statement". The Sena leader further stated that the Congress party should be compared to Ravana instead of Lord Ram, citing their conduct.
Nirupam questioned the Congress party's stance on Ram, and said, "This is a very ridiculous statement because the Congress party has always opposed Ram. The Congress has always put a spoke in the wheel regarding the proposal to build a temple in Ayodhya. The Congress party has raised question marks over Ram's very existence."
"Such people come forward and say that their leader follows Ram's ideals, so compare him to Ram. I want to tell them, do not tarnish Ram's name. Regarding the conduct and antics of their people, I would say that they should be compared not to Ram, but to Ravana," Nirupam told ANI.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of hurting the faith of crores of Hindus.
He said, "How can these words even come out of their mouths? The family that called Lord Ram imaginary, the family that obstructed the construction of Ram Temple for 70 years and you compare Lord Ram to someone who makes such statements? I think Nana Patole has hurt the faith of crores of Hindus."