‘Ganja consumed as Prasad’: Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari calls for legalization of cannabis, case filed

Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari sparked a row

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari sparked a huge row after calling for the legalization of ganja, claiming large amounts of ganja were being consumed Kumb Mela. His comments caused a huge uproar among saints who demanded strict action against him.

An FIR was registered against him for his alleged comments that large quantities of ganja had been consumed at the Kumbh Mela, police said on Sunday. The MP, brother of late mafia Don Mukhtar Ansari, made the controversial statement on September 27.

While speaking to reporters recently, the Ghazipur MP is also reported to have said that even if an entire freight train is filled with ganja, it would not be enough for the Kumbh Mela.

He proposed legalizing ganja by giving it legal status, asking, “Why make such a mockery of the law? Millions of people openly smoke ganja. They also smoke ganja during large gatherings.

“People smoke ganja at major religious events and call it God’s prasad. If it is God’s prasad, why is it illegal? Why this double policy? If it is considered God’s sacrifice and God’s herb, then recognize it in the law. It is illegal under the law, but consuming alcohol is exempt from the law. The same situation exists in Ghazipur district too,” he noted.

“We are saying that if it is considered as a herb and prasad of Lord Shankar, then why is cannabis being portrayed in a distorted manner in society? You need a license for cannabis, but there is no license for ganja. This is illegal. Many sages, saints and people from the religious community smoke ganja with great affection and claim that it also increases appetite,” the MP said.

Several Hindu saints and organizations have objected to Mr Ansari’s comments and demanded action against him.

However, in a subsequent statement, Ansari said his comment was intended to draw attention to ‘ganja’ smuggling and the drug problem in his area. He also apologized unreservedly if his statement hurt anyone SP leader said.

Ghazipur SHO Deendayal Pandey said the FIR was registered against him at Ghazipur police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 353(3) (statement incitement to public mischief) by Gora Bazar police station in-charge Rajkumar Shukla.

(With PTI inputs)