Protest erupts over ‘Ishwar Allah tero naam’ bhajan at Vajpayee commemoration event in Patna, BJP leader says ‘height of intolerance’

According to several reports, the singer was interrupted by protesters and prevented from continuing the bhajan (Image: PTI)

Controversy erupted at a Patna event commemorating former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when acclaimed folk singer Devi sang the lines “Ishwar Allah tero naam” in her rendition of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, sparking protests among the audience. Following this, the noted singer had to apologise.

According to several reports, the singer was interrupted by protesters and prevented from continuing the bhajan, a piece closely tied to Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. In response, BJP leader and former Union minister under Vajpayee, Shahnawaz Hussain, denounced the act, calling it “the height of intolerance.”

The incident took place at the Bapu Sabhagar auditorium and the event was titled ‘Main Atal Rahunga’. Former Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who co-organised the event with the NGO Dinker Shodh Sansthan, said the incident should not have happened, Indian Express reported.

Folk singer Devi told The Indian Express that she had been invited by the organisers to perform a bhajan at the event. “I was also also invited to get felicitated on the occasion. There was a request from the organisers to sing a bhajan. As we had gathered to commemorate Vajpayee ji, I thought it befitting to sing Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan, Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” she explained.

Elaborating further, she said that everything was going on in a smooth manner after she started singing until ‘Ishwar Allah tero naam’ bit, which sparked protest from a section of audience. Reportedly, there were around 50-60 protestors who created ruckus.

“After Ashwini Kumar Choubey pacified the crowd, I sang a Chhath song… But I was dismayed at the protest against Gandhi’s favourite bhajan that has been sung and heard across the world with utmost respect. What happened was unfortunate,” Devi said.

Shahnawaz Hussain too expressed his disappointment at the behaviour of protestors.  “I had quoted Atal ji during my address. He used to say, ‘chhote dil se koi bada nahi hota (no one makes it big with a small heart)’. The protest of the bhajan is the height of intolerance. I felt too embarrassed and ashamed,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.