It’s Navratri season, and some BJP leaders are gearing up to play parts in local Ram Leela productions in the run-up to the Dussehra.
BJP’s Punjab unit chief and Union Minister Vijay Sampla plays the role of ‘Nishad Raj’ or the tribal king of Shrngaverapura, where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent their first few nights of vanvaas or exile. ‘Nishad Raj’ is also said to have rowed the three across the Ganga on their way to Panchavati.
“I was asked by the management of the Luv-Kush Ramlila Samiti to helm this role. I found that I normally do not get much time to indulge in dharmic or religious work and this would be a good way of doing something religious,” Mr. Sampla said.
‘Nishad Raj’ is also identified with the Kevat or boatman community on the banks of the Ganges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a reference to the community during a speech in Allahabad in June 2016, at the party’s national executive there.
Delhi BJP chief and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari is also expected to participate in the same Ram Leela, which takes place in Old Delhi. He will reportedly play the character of Angad, son of Bali and Tara, and who is part of the advance party of the Vanar Sena that attacks Lanka to effect the rescue of Sita.
What the party high command thinks of this is not known.
