Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar on Thursday compared Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Maryada Purushottam which has sparked a row in India.

Maryada Purushottam is a Sanskrit phrase that translates to "the perfect man."

Chandrashekar made the statement while addressing a gathering at an event for Krishna Janmashtami.

Bihar's Education Minister Chandrashekhar in Nalanda-

"Prophet Muhammad was 'Maryada Purushottam"

The same Minister had earlier advocated the burning of Shri Ramcharitmanas pic.twitter.com/BPvhvFMc0x
— VIJAY SHEKHAR GUPTA BJP (@VijayShekhar9) September 9, 2023

Chandrashekhar belongs to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) which is a regional party based in Bihar and is currently in the opposition. The party is led by Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Chandrashekar's statement

Chandrashekhar said that Prophet Muhammad was a "brilliant man of great manliness" who was sent by God to bring faith to the world.

He said that Islam came to fight against dishonesty and evil.

BJP's response

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Chandrashekhar of trying to win votes by spreading hysteria in the name of religion and caste.

They said that he had become a victim of mental illness.

The statement by the minister has also sparked a debate on social media, with some people supporting his views and others criticizing them.