Photographs of Bihar IT minister holding snake goes viral, Grand Alliance expresses disapproval

Choudhary however argued that the pictures that are circulating online are old ones and that he is against superstition.

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After photographs of Bihar Education and IT Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary holding a snake went viral on social media, members of the Grand Alliance in the state have expressed their disapproval over the issue, The Indian Express reported.

In one photo, Choudhary can be seen holding a snake whereas in another Congress vice-president Subodh Kumar is seen seeking his blessings.

While JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi told IE that "there can be no place for superstition in a scientific society", RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha took a similar stance and said "People in public life should set examples of scientific temperament and shun archaic practices."

Choudhary however argued that the pictures that are circulating online are old ones and that he is against superstition. "I am against superstition. These are old pictures… Snake charmers had come to entertain children. They put the snakes in my hands," he told the newspaper.

According to IE, Kumar said the photos were taken during a "Makar Sankranti puja".