The Hindu Mahasabha had written to the Election Commission of India asking it to take actions against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for hurting the sentiments of Hindus for electoral gains. This was after Adityanath had controversially called Lord Hanuman a ‘Dalit’ during an election rally recently.

In its letter, the Hindu Masabha said that Adityanath, while addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, had called Hanuman a ‘forest dweller, deprived and Dalit.’ This, according to the Hindutva body, has hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

“That above said utterances by Shri Yogi Adityanath is not only derogatory and against the religious sentiments of the Hindu Community at large but also an effort to divide Hindus into castes and subcastes for the vested interest of winning in the ensuing elections,” said the letter.

Adityanath had said in an election rally earlier this week, “Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west. This was his resolve as it was Lord Ram’s wish. Just like him, we should also not rest till we fulfil that wish.”

When asked to comment on Adityanath’s comments, BJP President Amit Shah had told Aaj Tak news channel, “I have read in newspapers that this was said by our UP CM. I refrain from commenting on such issues. He is a responsible person and chief minister of a big state. If anyone has queries and disagreements on his comment, they should ask him to elaborate.”

Demanding ‘stern action’ against Adityanath, the letter by the Hindu Masabha also asked the EC to bar Adityanath from conducting any more election rallies in Rajasthan.