Kathmandu— On Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav honored two artists who play the roles of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman in Ramlila by offering each a contribution of Rs 51,000. The gesture was made during a press conference in Lucknow as part of the party's respect for cultural traditions.

Cultural Recognition

Yadav emphasized that the contributions were not donations but offerings to recognize the artists' dedication to portraying key figures from the Ramayana. He stated, 'We have got the opportunity to respect those who have been participating in our culture and traditions by taking part in Ramlila for a long time.'

Ramlila is a traditional theatrical presentation of the Ramayana that combines songs, narration, recitation, and dialogue. It is performed across northern India during the annual Dussehra festival.

Political Critique

Earlier this month, Yadav launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, accusing them of betraying public faith and religious sentiments. He alleged misuse of donation funds, irregularities in issuing receipts, and questioned land deals in Ayodhya.

In a statement shared on X, Yadav accused the BJP and their allies of undermining devotion through alleged irregularities related to donations, secret contributions, and land transactions connected with religious institutions.

Yadav's actions highlight the ongoing political tensions surrounding cultural and religious practices in Uttar Pradesh.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.