Poet Kumar Vishwas has drawn widespread backlash for comments perceived as a veiled dig at veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha and his daughter Sonakshi Sinha. Speaking at a poetry event in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Vishwas remarked, “Teach your children about Ramayana. Otherwise, while your house might be named ‘Ramayana,‘ someone else might take away your household’s ‘Lakshmi.’”

The comments were interpreted as a reference to Shatrughan Sinha’s Mumbai residence, which is named “Ramayana,” and Sonakshi Sinha’s recent marriage to Zaheer Iqbal, sparking speculation that Vishwas was criticizing her interfaith marriage. The remark quickly went viral, attracting significant criticism from social media users, political leaders, and activists.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate was among the first to denounce Vishwas’s remarks, calling them “cheap and offensive.” She asked if Vishwas, a father himself, would make such comments about his daughter. “Your words suggest a mindset that views women as property. When will men like you stop treating women as belongings first of their fathers and later of their husbands?” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Shrinate demanded an apology from Vishwas to both Shatrughan and Sonakshi Sinha, asserting that the remarks were degrading and disrespectful.

Social media users also criticized Vishwas for his comments, with many accusing him of propagating regressive and patriarchal ideas. Others questioned why he chose to comment on someone else’s personal life and marriage.

This controversy comes on the heels of a similar incident involving Sonakshi and actor Mukesh Khanna. Khanna had previously criticized Sonakshi for her inability to answer a question about the Ramayana during a 2019 episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Sonakshi responded sharply, urging Khanna to stop using her name to remain relevant. Shatrughan Sinha also defended his daughter, questioning Khanna’s authority to critique her knowledge or upbringing.

Vishwas’s remarks have reignited discussions about misogyny, interfaith relationships, and the need for respectful discourse in public platforms. Critics have highlighted how such statements reinforce regressive stereotypes about women and diminish their autonomy.

Amid growing criticism, Vishwas has not issued a statement or clarification. However, many have called on him to reflect on the impact of his words and apologize for offending the Sinha family and others who found his comments objectionable.