Ranchi, Sep 20 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren’s refusal to burn the effigy of Ravana has prompted followers of the demon king to invite him for offering prayers on Vijaya Dashami.An Indore-based group has invited Soren to participate in worshiping Ravana during Durga Puja. Lankesh Mitra Mandal has sent the invitation to the chief minister’s house, sources said.

Soren is however learnt to have refused to accept the invitation.

The Ravana followers got solace when Soren refused to burn the effigy of Ravana. Also, Soren termed Ravana as kulguru and a great scholar whose effigy should not be burnt.

Since the creation of Jharkhand in November 2000, the chief minister has been lighting the fire to spark off the Vijay Dashmi celebrations. A delegation of local Dussehra organisers met Soren last week and requested him to accept the invitation to burn effigy of Ravana at Morabadi ground on Vijaya Dashami.

“There is no dispute that Ravana was a great scholar. And a great scholar’s effigy should not be burnt” said Ram Dayal Munda, former Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University.