A Varanasi court has ordered the registration of an FIR regarding former minister Swami Prasad Maurya's controversial statement on Ramcharitmanas. The statement, made in 2023, is considered to have hurt religious sentiments.
Swami Prasad Maurya: Former minister Swami Prasad Maurya, once seen as a voice for the Dalit and backward classes in Uttar Pradesh politics, is once again embroiled in controversy. A Varanasi court has now ordered the registration of an FIR against him regarding his controversial statement on Ramcharitmanas made two years ago. This legal decision comes at a time when Maurya was already in the headlines due to an incident where he was slapped at a public gathering.
What is the whole matter?
On January 22, 2023, Swami Prasad Maurya gave a controversial statement regarding Ramcharitmanas in a TV interview. He said that some things in it are casteist and described it as harmful to society. He also spoke of banning the text.
This statement hurt the religious sentiments of many people. A wave of anger swept social media, and many religious organizations openly opposed it. Protests took place in various places, and demands for legal action against Maurya intensified.
Beginning of the legal battle
After Swami Prasad Maurya's statement, Advocate Ashok Kumar, considering it serious, filed a written complaint with the Police Commissioner of Varanasi on January 24, 2023. But when no action was taken by the police, he went to court on January 25, 2023, and filed an application to register a case under Section 156(3) of the CrPC.
However, the court rejected this application on October 17, 2023. After this, Ashok Kumar did not give up and appealed again in the Sessions Court. He filed a criminal revision petition, due to which the matter was heard again.
Now the court has ordered to register a case
On August 6, 2025, the court made a big decision. Following the instructions of the Special Judge (MP/MLA Court), Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neeraj Kumar Tripathi ordered the Cantt Police Station In-charge of Varanasi to register an FIR against Swami Prasad Maurya and start a full investigation.
After this order, Maurya's legal troubles may increase, as now the police will investigate his old statement and take further action.
New trouble after the slapping incident
Even before this case, Swami Prasad Maurya was embroiled in another controversy. A few months ago, a young man slapped him during a public gathering. This incident was also related to the statement opposing Ramcharitmanas. At that time too, deep anger against Maurya was seen in a section of society.
Who is Swami Prasad Maurya?
Swami Prasad Maurya is a well-known name in Uttar Pradesh politics. He has been a minister with Mayawati in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was also a Cabinet Minister in Yogi Adityanath's first term. But just before the 2022 assembly elections, he left the BJP and joined the Samajwadi Party (SP).
Recently, he has also separated from the SP and founded his own Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party (RSSP). He is active in politics by portraying himself as the voice of the Dalits and backward classes. But his recent statements have caused him more harm.
Why the statements in religious matters?
Swami Prasad Maurya has claimed that there are casteist and anti-women things written in many places in religious books like Ramcharitmanas, which insult the backward sections of the society. He had given a statement regarding this matter, but his manner and choice of words were so controversial that he invited legal action.
What will be the next legal process?
Now that the court has ordered to register an FIR and investigate, the police will start action in this matter soon. Maurya may be questioned during the investigation, and if the allegations are found to be true, a case may be filed against him under sections like inciting religious sentiments, creating public unrest, and using abusive language.
