How does the poet attack the priesthood in his poem “Manush” [Man]?

Answer

How does the poet attack the priesthood in his poem “Manush” [Man]? [2019] 

Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976) boldly criticizes the false religious leaders in his famous poem “Manush” (Man). He exposes the hypocrisy of priests and mollahs who misuse religion for selfish gain. Nazrul’s attack on the priesthood is sharp, fearless, and full of truth.

Exposure of Hypocrisy: Nazrul shows how priests pretend to be holy but act with cruelty. They deceive simple people in the name of faith. The story of the hungry traveler clearly shows this hypocrisy. The priest closes the temple door instead of giving food. Through this, Nazrul proves that religion has lost its real meaning under the control of selfish priests.

The Example of the Temple Priest: The poet gives a powerful story to attack false priesthood. A priest dreams that a god of hunger waits at his door. He opens the temple hoping to get rich blessings. But he finds a poor man asking for food, saying, 

“Father, I have been hungry for seven days.” 

The priest, shocked and greedy, shuts the door in his face. The traveler then cries, 

“O God! That temple belongs to the priest, not to You.” 

Nazrul uses this scene to expose the cruelty of religion without compassion. 

Attack on Religious Monopoly: Nazrul also attacks how priests and mollahs control holy places. They make rules that keep poor men away from God. The poet says, 

“Who can lock up God’s House?”

These words are his protest against the religious power that denies man’s right to worship..

In “Manush” (Man), Nazrul’s attack on the priesthood is bold and human. He unmasks their greed and hypocrisy.