Poet and politician Kumar Vishwas has found himself at the center of a controversy following remarks he made referencing actor and Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha and his daughter Sonakshi Sinha’s interfaith marriage. Speaking at an event in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Vishwas invoked the Ramayana, saying:
“Teach your children Ramayana, make them read the Geeta. Otherwise, someone else might take away the Shri Lakshmi of your house even if the house is named ‘Ramayana.’”
The comments were widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of Sonakshi Sinha’s marriage to actor Zaheer Iqbal, which took place in June this year. The Sinha family home, notably named “Ramayana,” added fuel to the speculation that Vishwas was alluding to the actress’s interfaith union.
The remarks sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing Vishwas of making derogatory and misogynistic comments. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate called the comments “lewd” and “cheap,” asserting that women have the right to marry a partner of their choice.
“Kumar Vishwas ji, you not only made a cheap comment on Sonakshi Sinha’s inter-religious marriage, but you also exposed your real thinking about women… The foundation of marriage is equality, mutual trust, and mutual love. No one takes anyone anywhere,” Shrinate wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
She further criticized Vishwas for allegedly misunderstanding the teachings of the Ramayana, which emphasize love and mutual respect, and demanded an apology to both Shatrughan Sinha and Sonakshi Sinha.
While some supported Vishwas’ remarks, labeling them as “truthful,” others condemned him for dragging a personal matter into public discourse. Critics also pointed out that Vishwas has two daughters, raising questions about his perspective on women’s autonomy.
The controversy deepened as photos of Vishwas’ daughters were circulated online, drawing further backlash.
The incident comes shortly after another controversy involving Sonakshi Sinha. Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna had criticized her and her father, Shatrughan Sinha, for allegedly failing to instill cultural knowledge after the actress incorrectly answered a question about Lord Hanuman on the quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Sonakshi responded strongly to Khanna, warning him against using the incident to gain attention. “The next time you decide to say anything about the values my father has instilled in me… please remember it’s because of those values that I have only said what I said, very respectfully,” she stated.
Khanna later clarified that he had no intention to harm the Sinha family’s reputation, emphasizing his cordial relationship with Shatrughan Sinha.
The controversy surrounding Kumar Vishwas’ remarks has reignited debates about interfaith marriages and personal freedom in India. While some view his comments as a reflection of traditional values, others see them as an affront to women’s rights and individual choices. The public uproar continues to grow, with many demanding accountability and a retraction from Vishwas.
