Now, BJP MLC claims Hanuman was a Muslim

Lucknow, December 20

Giving to new twist to ongoing slugfest over Lord Hanuman, a BJP MLC in Uttar Pradesh has claimed the deity was a Muslim.

Speaking to ANI, MLC Bukkal Nawab claimed that Muslim names sound "almost similar" to those of Lord Hanuman. 

"I believe that Lord Hanuman was a Muslim. That is why the names of the people in Islam is almost similar to Lord Hanuman, whether it is Rehman, Farman, Zeeshan, Ramzan or Quran," Bukkal Nawab was quoted as saying by ANI.

While campaigning for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan last month, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said Lord Hanuman was a Dalit.

During a poll rally in Malakheda in Alwar district, Adityanath had said, "Hanuman was a forest dweller, deprived and a Dalit. Bajrang Bali worked to connect all Indian communities together, from north to south and east to west."