The Bombay Tribune, New Delhi, November 13: Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya ignited controversy today with remarks suggesting that people should worship their wives instead of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali. Maurya defended his statement by emphasizing that in the true sense, one’s wife is the ‘Ghar ki Laxmi,’ deserving of respect and honor.
Sharing images of himself ‘worshipping’ his wife on social media, Maurya questioned the traditional depiction of Goddess Lakshmi, asking, “How can Lakshmi be born with four hands?” This comment drew backlash from various quarters.
Responding to the criticism, Maurya stated, “In the real sense, your wife is your ‘Ghar ki Laxmi.’ She manages the household, worries about it, and works towards its maintenance and prosperity. When she is the real ‘Grih Laxmi,’ why object to worshipping her? According to our culture, ‘Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata,’ meaning we must respect, worship, and honor our wife.”
In another social media post, Maurya argued that every child born worldwide has two hands, two legs, two ears, and two eyes, questioning the possibility of a child with eight or ten hands. He extended this reasoning to challenge the depiction of Goddess Lakshmi with four hands.
Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam criticized Maurya’s remarks, stating, “Swami Prasad Maurya has verbal diarrhea. He needs treatment. I will ask Yogi Adityanath to put a ban on Maurya speaking.”
The controversial statements have fueled a debate on cultural perceptions, with opinions divided on Maurya’s unconventional comparison between wives and the revered goddess.
