Una/Himachal Pradesh: BJP leader and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur has courted controversy after claiming that Hanuman, the Hindu mythological figure, was the first space traveler. Speaking at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Una district during National Youth Day celebrations, Thakur asked students who the first person in space was. When some answered Neil Armstrong, he reportedly said he considered Hanuman—who flew to Lanka in mythology—to be the first space traveler.
First it was Kapil Mishra and now it is Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Anurag Thakur raising the slogan "Desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maaro saalon ko" (Shoot these traitors) at an election rally in Delhi's Rithala.
Video: @scribe_prashant pic.twitter.com/3cnPIqRZLg— Bodhisattva #DalitLivesMatter 🇮🇳🏳️🌈 (@insenroy) January 27, 2020
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from educators, political opponents, and experts, who argue that conflating mythology with historical facts misleads students and undermines scientific understanding. DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned Thakur’s statements, noting that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space in 1961. Critics also warned that such comments conflict with Article 51A (h) of the Indian Constitution, which emphasizes cultivating a scientific temper.
Former Union Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur says that he believes that Lord Hanuman was the first person to travel to space.
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The BJP has not issued an official response, but Thakur’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion on social media. The controversy follows a history of provocative statements by Thakur, including earlier remarks targeting alleged “anti-national” elements, which had also triggered national debate.