New Delhi- A series of controversial tweets by Pratik Patel, known on Twitter as a "Soldier of Tejashwi Yadav" and Youth President of the All India Backward Class Federation, Bihar, has sparked a heated debate on social media.

Two contrasting trends are currently making waves on social media: "Shame on Bihar Police" and "We Stand with Pratik Patel." This controversy revolves around some allegedly anti-Hindu tweets by Pratik Patel, sparking intense debate online.

The hashtags are trending as the controversy continues to unfold. While some are calling for legal action against Patel for allegedly anti-Hindu tweets, others are staunchly defending his right to free speech and political expression.

Patel has been receiving grave threats and facing cyberbullying, prompting support from several Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) members, including RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha and Anil Kumar Sadhu, State President of the SC Cell RJD Bihar.

Supporters argue that Patel's tweet was strictly political and did not target religious sentiments. They accuse his opponents of trying to silence him using societal power dynamics.

Patel has addressed the controversy, saying, "Some hate-filled people are pressuring the Bihar Police to take action against me, but there is nothing in that tweet that would hurt anyone's religious sentiments. It was a political tweet about the Hajipur elections. Voices of support are coming from across the country. I am grateful to all of you."

The Controversial Tweets and Patel's Explanations

Latest Tweet (15 May 2024):

The first tweet that ignited the controversy dates back to 15 May 2024. Patel claimed it was a political post related to the Hajipur elections, where Shivchandra was contesting. Patel'sreferring to Hanuman as monkey sparked the controversy.

Patel's Explanation: "The controversy that is being created about this post of mine is from 15 May 2024. This was a political post where Shivchandra Ji was contesting the elections. I had no intention of hurting the sentiments of any god in this. It also has #हाजीपुर written in it. But if someone's feelings are hurt then I delete it."

2nd Tweet (26 May 2023):

The second tweet, posted on 26 May 2023, involved a response to a personal attack. Patel had been insulted and described in derogatory terms, which led him to make a comment that further angered a segment of social media users. He explained that this tweet had been deleted six months prior and that the profile photo in the screenshot circulating online was also from six months ago.

Patel's Explanation: "The second post that is being disputed is a reply to an individual who called me a worm from the gutter. This tweet is from 26 May 2023. I deleted this comment six months ago. The profile photo in the tweet is also from six months ago. But these people have had this screenshot saved on their phones and keep sharing it. I had no intention of hurting anyone's feelings."

Third Tweet (2023):

The third tweet from 2023 questioned certain Hindu religious practices, such as Shivling pujan and Yoni pujan, and sarcastically credited Brahmins for these practices. Patel emphasized that this tweet, too, had been deleted many months ago and reiterated that his intention was to critique hypocrisy on OBC issues rather than offend religious sentiments.

Patel's Explanation: "This is the third tweet. This tweet is also from 2023 and was deleted many months ago. The proof of this is that my profile photo in it is also from 2023. I write against hypocrisy on the issue of OBC, but I do not have any intention of hurting anyone's religious sentiments. If this had remained the case, then they would have found only these two tweets against me in the last two years, both of which were deleted in 2023. We believe in the Constitution and respect everyone's feelings. I will also keep these things in mind."

In a clarification, Pratik writes: " I have given my clarification so that there is no further controversy on these deleted tweets. Respecting all religions is in our constitution. I respect all religions. Developing scientific temperament, humanism, and a spirit of exploration and reform. The constitution also gives us this right. I write extensively on the issues of OBCs and hypocrisy. Many of the books contain things that are not practical in today's times."

Support from RJD Members, activists

The controversy surrounding Patel's tweets has drawn significant support from key RJD members and many activists who are defending his right to free speech and political commentary while condemning the threats and cyberbullying he has faced.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha tweeted- "It is a fact that regressive thoughts and ideas will take the country back hundreds of years. If someone says this in front of a mirror, why should one feel bad? For a healthy and progressive society, healthy thoughts and contemplation are necessary for every community. This is the whole story. Jai Hind #WeStandWithPratikPatel."

Anil Kumar Sadhu, State President SC Cell RJD Bihar wrote: "The struggling comrades who raised their voice for the Rashtriya Janata Dal on social media have been targeted. Efforts are being made to entangle the ideological struggle in legal maneuvers. We stand with our allies with full strength. Every conspiracy will be answered."

Research scholar and national spokesperson of RJD, Kanchana Yadav, wrote on her X handle tagging Bihar police:

"Hello @bihar_police,

Through this @randomsena, there are threats of murder and rape being made. Women are being abused. There are threats to kill @PriyanshuVoice and @PratikVoiceObc. I hope that Bihar Police will take action against such criminals.

I expect action to be taken against these self-proclaimed defenders of religion who abuse women.

And yes, if even a scratch comes to Priyanshu Kushwaha or Pratik Patel, Bihar Police will have to answer for seeing everything and turning a blind eye."