BJP MLA Shyam Prakash urges worship of Modi and Yogi over idols, sparks row as AITC slams BJP for ‘dangerous personality cult’ ahead of West Bengal polls.
BJP MLA Shyam Prakash
A political row has erupted after Shyam Prakash, MLA from the Gopamau Assembly constituency of Hardoi district, criticized idol worship while urging people to “worship Modi-Yogi”.
Speaking at an Ambedkar Jayanti event in Hardoi, Prakash said he considers “living people as God” and suggested they have the capacity to help people.
“Stop worshiping stones and start worshiping the real gods of today—Modi and Yogi—because only they can give us everything,” he said.
Later, responding to queries about his remarks, he said that the comment were his personal views and he was referring to stones kept in homes as family deities.
At the Ambedkar Jayanti event, the MLA also said that leaders who claim to be speaking for Dalits often work for their own interests. “No Dalit leader can ensure your welfare. Big leaders mislead people to secure power,” he said.
The MLA’s remarks have sparked a row as AITC took the opportunity to recall previous remarks by BJP leaders.
In an Instagram post, AITC recalled BJP MP Sambit Patra’s remark wherein he claimed that “Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath is a “bhakt” of Modi”.
“Now, BJP MLA Shyam Prakash from Gopamau has gone even further, openly telling people to stop worshipping stones and start worshipping the “real gods of today”, Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath,” it said.
AITC said: “This is a dangerous personality cult bordering on blasphemy. These are the same people who beat their chests 24×7 claiming to be the “guardians of Hinduism” and “Dharma Rakshaks”.
“And this is the “Poriborton” they want to bring to Bengal, where Maa Durga will be replaced by Modi. Bengal will never accept this madness,” it added.
The West Bengal elections will be held on April 23 and and April 29. The results will be declared on May 4.
Hardoi, India, India
April 15, 2026, 22:18 IST
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