‘Stop worshipping Durga, Kaali, Ganesh, Hanuman, they are ugly and deformed’: Buddhist ‘kathavachak’ and organiser booked in Kanpur for hateful, derogatory remarks on Hindu Gods

Archana Singh Bauddh (Image via X)

A case has been registered in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, after a Buddhist ‘kathavachak’ was seen on video using abusive and indecent language against Hindu gods and goddesses during a public religious event for Neo-Buddhists (Ambedkarites). Police have lodged an FIR and initiated action in the case.

The video from the event, now circulating widely, shows the Kathavachak Archana Bouddh making offensive comments about Hindu deities while addressing the audience from the stage. The incident took place during a seven-day religious programme organised at Ambedkar Park in Malkhanpur, under the Rasulabad police station area.

The speaker Archana Singh Bouddh made indecent and derogatory remarks about the eight hands of Maa Durga. She also used insulting language for Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Kali, hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. She mocked the appearance of the Gods in their popular depictions and added that if newborns looked like them, the families would feel insulted and dishonoured, because the Gods are ‘grotesque and deformed’.

Statements mocking Hindu Gods

In the video, Archana Singh Bauddh also reportedly said that pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses should not be placed inside homes. Instead, she suggested keeping photos of ‘beautiful’ actors, claiming this would ensure that children born in the household would be beautiful. These statements triggered anger among those present at the event.

People attending the programme objected strongly, saying such words should never be spoken from a religious platform.

Protest and police action

Activists of Rashtriya Bajrang Dal protested soon after the incident and filed a complaint at the Rasulabad police station. Based on the complaint, police detained Archana Bouddh and Gulab Ram, the organiser of the event.

Police said both have been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway. Action will be taken based on the facts that come out during the probe.

She made similar remarks before

This is not the first time Archana Singh Bouddh has been involved in such a controversy.

Earlier this year, Archana made similar remarks during another public event, again targeting Hindu beliefs and practices, which had drawn criticism from locals.

Even before that, in 2023, during a ‘Buddha Katha’ event in Pahewa village in Kanpur, she made abusive remarks against revered Hindu figures.

Videos from that event showed her using insulting language against Bhagwan Shri Ram and Durga Mata, and making offensive comments about Brahmin priests and the Savarna community. She had even referred to Bhagwan Ram as a murderer, causing widespread outrage at the time.

The repeated targeting of Hindu deities and traditions from public platforms has raised serious concern among residents and Hindu groups, who are demanding strict action to prevent such incidents and protect religious harmony.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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