Patna, July 3 -- Ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) lawmaker's remark

comparing party chief Lalu Prasad to Hindu deities has reignited a debate around the use of

religion in politics.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of Dr BR Ambedkar's statue at Gaighat in Muzaffarpur

district, member of legislative council (MLC) Urmila Thakur called Lalu Prasad, a former

Bihar chief minister, a "living god on earth after Lord Shiva," raising critical questions about

whether leaders are exploiting faith for electoral gains rather than focusing on public issues.

In her provocative declaration, Thakur said: "If there is any other living god after Shiva, god

on earth or god who gives blessings, the...