A case has been registered in Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh after a Buddhist ‘kathavachak’ was captured on video using abusive, indecent, and deeply offensive language against Hindu gods and goddesses during a public religious programme meant for Neo-Buddhists, also known as Ambedkarites. Following the circulation of the video, the police registered a First Information Report and began formal action in the matter.

The video, which has since spread widely across social media platforms, shows the kathavachak Archana Bouddh making insulting comments about Hindu deities while speaking from the stage to a gathered audience. The incident occurred during a seven-day religious programme organised at Ambedkar Park in Malkhanpur village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Rasulabad police station area.

During her address, speaker Archana Singh Bouddh made indecent and derogatory remarks about the eight hands of Maa Durga. She also used insulting language while referring to Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Kali. These comments, directed at sacred figures worshipped by millions, caused deep hurt to the religious sentiments of the Hindu community present at the event and beyond. In her speech, she mocked the physical appearance of Hindu gods as shown in traditional depictions and went on to say that if newborn children looked like them, families would feel insulted and ashamed, as the gods are ‘grotesque and deformed’.

Statements ridiculing Hindu deities

In the same video, Archana Singh Bauddh also reportedly stated that images of Hindu gods and goddesses should not be kept inside homes. Instead, she suggested that families should place photographs of ‘beautiful’ film actors in their houses. According to her claim, this practice would result in children being born beautiful in those households. These remarks further inflamed the situation and triggered anger among people attending the programme.

Several attendees openly objected to the statements, saying that such language should never be used from a religious platform, regardless of belief or ideology. They expressed that public religious events should promote harmony and respect, not hatred or mockery toward any faith.

Protests and police response

Soon after the incident became public, activists from the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal staged protests and submitted a formal complaint at the Rasulabad police station. Acting on the complaint, the police detained Archana Bouddh along with Gulab Ram, who was identified as the organiser of the religious event.

Police officials confirmed that both individuals have been taken into custody and that a detailed investigation is currently underway. Authorities stated that further legal action will be determined based on the facts and evidence that emerge during the probe.

Past record of similar remarks

This incident is not the first time Archana Singh Bouddh has been linked to controversy of this nature. Earlier this year, she made similar remarks at another public gathering, once again targeting Hindu beliefs and practices. That incident had also drawn strong criticism from local residents.

Before that, in 2023, during a ‘Buddha Katha’ event held in Pahewa village in Kanpur, she had made abusive remarks against respected Hindu figures. Videos from that programme showed her using insulting language against Bhagwan Shri Ram and Durga Mata. She also made offensive statements about Brahmin priests and the Savarna community. During that event, she had even referred to Bhagwan Ram as a murderer, which led to widespread outrage and condemnation.

The repeated instances of Hindu deities and traditions being targeted from public platforms have raised serious concerns among residents and Hindu organisations. Many are now demanding strict legal action to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure that religious harmony and mutual respect are upheld in society.