A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA in Sitamarhi town of Bihar stirred up a hornet’s nest on Friday by distributing swords and copies of Ramcharitmanas at Durga Puja pandals, and advocating violence “for the protection of the dharma”.

The Opposition parties saw it as a bid to create communal polarisation ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.

The concerned MLA, Mitilesh Kumar, started what he called “a campaign to worship shastra (weapons) and shaastra (scriptures)” from Punaura Dham, which is considered to be the birthplace of Sita.

He was seen hopping from one Durga Puja pandal to another with a large number of swords and copies of Ramcharitmanas stashed in the boot of an SUV (special utility vehicle) and distributing them among the people.

As videos of his act went viral on social media, the legislator said he was doing so during the ongoing Navratra festival after receiving ‘inspiration’ from Goddess Durga, and it was meant to promote the protection of the Hindu religion, instead of encouraging violence.

“I am not giving a lesson in violence. I am just following the tradition of our rishis (hermits). They developed several weapons after difficult spiritual practices and provided them for the protection of religion and the world. Lord Shiva gave weapons to Arjuna. I am visiting every puja pandal and giving these to the people associated with them,” Mithilesh said.

“I believe in ahimsa (non-violence). I believe in ahimsa parmo dharma (non-violence is the highest religion), but violence is commendable if it is for the protection of dharma (religion).”

Sources close to him said that 71 steel swords with brass grips were brought from outside and the BJP legislator has distributed 41 so far.

Asked about the brazen distribution of swords, Sitamarhi SP Manoj Kumar Tiwari told The Telegraph: “We have asked the concerned sub-divisional police officer to probe the issue and submit a report on it. We will take action on its basis.”

The BJP is a part of chief minister Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in the state.

The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) slammed the BJP and said that it cannot desist from promoting communalism in everything.

“What else can you expect from BJP legislators? They will not distribute pens or jobs but will distribute swords. They are nurtured in the nursery of the RSS for these things,” RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwary said.