Call it a fallout of the debate on the JNU sedition case in Parliament -- Mahishasura, the demon king in Hindu mythology, has risen from the ashes.
The resurrection of Mahisasura was triggered by a police report which claimed that a few of the accused students worshipped the half-man, half-buffalo demon king.
Union HRD minister Smriti Irani in her reply to the debate in Parliament on Thursday referred to these points and quoted extensively to drive home her arguments on anti-national activities of the accused.
In Rajya Sabha, the Oppostion led by Congress MP Anand Sharma demanded her apology and wanted the references expunged
Irani fought back saying she was only quoting from an authenticated pamphlet."I read it because I was asked to explain what was the proof. I myself am a practising Hindu and a Durga worshipper."
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien, said nothing should be said in the House that hurts the sentiments of any community and that any "blasphemous" remarks would be expunged.
According to 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 by the trident from Lord Shiva and a chakra from Lord Vishnu, Godess Durga killed the demon in a fierce battle.
But that narrative is not without the side stories. Mahishasura is revered by some tribal communities in West Bengal and other eastern parts of the country.
In JNU, the Mahishasura festival has been observed every October since 2011 to challenge existing caste hierarchies. The university witnessed clashes that year when the festival was hosted by the All India Backward Students Federation.
It has come to light that a BJP MP and JNU alumni, Udit Raj, has infact in the past participated in one such festival.
The name Mysore is an anglicised version of Mahishi-ooru , or village of Mahishi. In next door Telangana a section of Adivasis and Dalits worship Narakasura who was slain by Lord Vishnu. In Kerala, people celebrate Onam to celebbrate the annual visit of the Asura king Mahabali who was banished by the Vamana avatar of Vishnu.
This dichotomy was pointed out by CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury who said that when AB Vajpayee once called Indira Gandhi 'Maa Durga' she did not accept the title bacause many "Bahujans worship Mahishasura".
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