‘Ganja Consumed As Prasad’ says Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari, Case filed
The controversial comment was made on September 27 by the MP, who is the brother of late mafia Don Mukhtar Ansari.
Afzal Ansari, a Samajwadi Party MP, caused a major controversy when he advocated for the legalization of marijuana and stated that a significant quantity of marijuana was used at the Kumbh Mela. His comments created a huge commotion, and saints demanded that he be punished severely.
According to police, on Sunday, a FIR was filed against him for allegedly saying that a lot of ganja was consumed at the Kumbh Mela. The controversial comment was made on September 27 by the MP, who is the brother of the late mafia Don Mukhtar Ansari.
The Ghazipur MP is also said to have stated to reporters that ganja alone would not be enough for the Kumbh Mela, even if a whole freight train was loaded with the drug.
Inquiring as to why such a mockery of the law was being made, he proposed providing legal status to ganja. Cannabis is publicly smoked by countless numbers of individuals. In big groups, they also smoke ganja.
“People smoke ganja at big religious events, calling it God’s prasad. If it is God’s prasad, why is it illegal? Why this dual policy? If it is considered God’s offering and God’s herb, then recognise it in law. It’s illegal under the law, but consuming alcohol is exempted from law. The same situation exists in Ghazipur district as well,” he remarked.
“We are saying that if it is considered herb and prasad of Lord Shankar, then why is cannabis portrayed in a distorted manner in society? You need a licence for cannabis, but there is no licence for ganja. This is illegal. Many sages, saints, and people from religious community smoke ganja with great fondness, claiming that it also increases appetite,” the MP said.
A number of Hindu saints and organizations have denounced Mr. Ansari’s statements and called for his removal from office. Ansari clarified in a later statement that the purpose of his comment was to highlight the drug issue in his community as well as the smuggling of “ganja.” The head of the SP added that he also extended his sincere apology to anyone offended by his remarks.
Ghazipur SHO Deendayal Pandey said the FIR against him was registered at Ghazipur police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 353(3) (statement inciting public mischief) by Gora Bazar police outpost in-charge Rajkumar Shukla.
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