A prominent civil society group from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and stop what it calls the "offensive and unlawful misuse" of the sacred name of Lord Bahubali. The group argues that the revered Jain deity's name is being wrongly used as a pop-culture label for gangsters, mafia dons, and local strongmen.
Memorandum to PM Seeks Legal Protection
In a formal memorandum sent to the Prime Minister, the Chhattisgarh Civil Society has requested that such derogatory usage be specifically listed as a punishable offence under the new criminal law framework, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The group contends that this practice violates religious sentiments and distorts a key symbol of India’s spiritual heritage. A copy of the memorandum has also been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The organization emphasizes that Lord Bahubali stands for "the highest ideals of non-violence, penance, renunciation and self-restraint." They state he is not only a central figure for Jains but represents "the moral and ethical core of Indian civilisation."
A Sacred Name Reduced to Criminal Slang
Speaking to the media, Dr. Kuldeep Solanki, convenor of Chhattisgarh Civil Society, expressed deep concern over the trend that began in the 1990s. He noted that the word "Bahubali," considered sacred in Jain tradition, is now routinely used as shorthand for strongmen and criminal figures in news reports, OTT crime dramas, social media, and even in some administrative and police documents.
"This trend is deeply unfortunate. It undermines the dignity associated with Lord Bahubali and hurts the religious sentiments of the Jain community," Dr. Solanki said. He added that such language normalizes a negative lens around religious symbols and trivializes them in the public imagination.
Dr. Solanki provided context, stating that Lord Bahubali is the son of the first Jain Tirthankara and the younger brother of Bharat. According to Jain belief, his origin dates back thousands of years, and his place in the faith is "next only to the Tirthankaras themselves."
Call for Action and Safeguards
Highlighting the gravity of the issue for the over 85 lakh strong Jain community in India, Dr. Solanki called for concrete action. "We have written to the PM and Home Minister that this should be categorised as a punishable crime. Just as abusive words are bleeped out on television and OTT platforms, there should be a similar safeguard when 'Bahubali' is used in a derogatory context for criminals," he asserted.
The group reminded that the world’s tallest monolithic statue is dedicated to Lord Bahubali, and a grand anointment ceremony (Mahamastakabhisheka) is held every 12 years. "To use the same name casually for gangsters and mafia bosses is not just careless, it is deeply hurtful," Dr. Solanki concluded.
Describing itself as a collective of academics, professionals, and social workers, the Chhattisgarh Civil Society frames this as a "sensitive matter linked to social harmony, religious respect and the dignity of India’s cultural heritage." The group expressed confidence that the central government would give their plea serious consideration.
