Eco survey takes backseat to Mahishasura

Human Resource and Development Minister Smriti Irani read out in the RS a pamphlet which mentioned the Mahishasura Martyrdom Day that has been observed in the JNU every October since 2011 to challenge existing caste hierarchies. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura obtained a boon from Lord Agni that he would be killed only by a woman and went on to chase away Devas from heaven. Armed with the trident from Lord Shiva and a chakra from Lord Vishnu, Goddess Durga killed the demon in a fierce battle However, CPI (M) MP Sitaram Yechury pointed out there is another side to Mahishasura, who is revered by some tribal communities in West Bengal and other eastern parts of the country. Launching a scathing attack on Irani, he said, “I don’t know why topics of Durga and Mahisasura have been brought in the House and are being used to divide the nation. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee called Indira Gandhi Durga after the 1971 war, she refused to accept the title since many Bahujans worship Mahisasura.”