Lucknow: BJP leader Subramanium Swamy’s assertion that the mythical king Ravana and his wife Mandodari were Dalits of Uttar Pradesh, has kicked up a major controversy.

Mr Swamy was addressing a seminar in Varanasi on Saturday when he suggested that changes should be made in history books and said that Ravana was born at Basrakh near Ghaziabad while Mandodari was from the Meerut region. He claimed that after being blessed by Lord Shiva, Ravana det-hroned Kubera to capture power in Lanka.

He further said that the history being taught in schools was written during British era, when the Indian society was divided by drawing a line in the name of Aryans and Dravidians.

He said that instead of legendary personalities of country, stories of inv-aders like Babar and Sher Shah Suri are being taught to children.

The BJP leader also termed the existing education system as divisive for country and said that the education structure div-ides Hindus and Muslims. He said that BJP will promote indigenous and value-based educational system.

Dr Swamy’s statements have evoked a strong reaction from parties. Congress MLA Akhilesh Pratap Singh accused the BJP leader of attempting to create social and religious disharmony and unrest in the country. “He should state on what basis he is making these claims. It seems that his sole intention is to create a social war in the country. Action should be taken against such persons,” he said.

SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary also rubbished Dr Swamy’s claims and said that it was typical of the BJP to make unsubstantiated claims.