Patna, Sep 15 (IANS): Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar once again triggered a controversy by stating that Ramcharitmanas, an epic poem based on Ramayana, has "few contents that are similar to potassium cyanide (poison)".

Addressing people during an event to celebrate Hindi Diwas on Thursday, Chandrashekhar claimed that the Ramcharitmanas has many good things but some "poisonous things" as well.

"It is similar to how we serve 55 types of tasty cuisine and mix one potassium cyanide in it. When I point out such things, they blame me and say I am against Hindu and Sanatan Dharma but when Mohan Bhagwat says, no one has an objection to it," Chandrashekhar said.

Responding to his comment, senior BJP leader and spokesperson Arvind Singh said: "Chandrashekhar is social cyanide. He is restless to spread poison in the society. The education minister is cyanide for education and humanity as well. He is making statements against Ramcharitmanas and Sanatan Dharma repeatedly. He and his class 9 pass leader have no understanding of Sanatan and Ramcharitmanas. In fact, the RJD is social and political cyanide which is creating differences among society. Murder, loot, rape, dacoity, communal tension are taking place everywhere in Bihar."

Earlier in January, Chandrashekhar had made a statement against Ramchartimanas and Manusmriti and said that these books "spread hatred in the society". Since then, he is regularly making statements against Ramcharitmanas.