The PM Narendra Modi driven Kabristan row is refusing to die as various Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders keep breathing new life into it as the Uttar Pradesh elections enter the last 2 phases. The latest to dive onto the Hindu-Muslim controversy is firebrand and controversial BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj, MP from Unnao, who has brought to light the issue of paucity of land and the fact that the Hindus do not need space for graves while Muslim demands are rising. While PM Modi had added the ‘no discrimination’ part at the end, the same kind of diplomacy is not being adhered to by the rest of the BJP leaders.
He said that if Hindus start demanding space in similar fashion, then there are, “2-2.5 cr sadhu hain, sabki samadhi lage to kitni zameen jayegi (there are 2-2.5 cr sadhus in the country, just imagine how much land would be required if they asked for a mausoleum of their own.”
Not wishing to end the matter there and to highlight the rising population of Muslims, Maharaj goes on to say, “20 crore Muslims hain, sabko kabr chahiye Hindustan mein jagah kahan milegi (there are 20 cr Muslims, all want a grave; where will space be found in India).
The Congress Party on Tuesday said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj’s controversial ‘Kabristaan’ remark is part of a communal atmosphere being created by the saffron party amid the ongoing assembly elections in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.
“Every religion follows its own ritual. If there will be need of ‘kabristaan’ then it will be constructed. Similarly, if there would be need of ‘shamshaan’ then it would be made. This cannot be affected by provocative statements of any leader or saint,” Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI.
Echoing similar views, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said Sakshi Maharaj’s statement aims at spreading communalism and widening the gap between Hindus and Muslims.
“This shows the BJP’s disappointment. They don’t have any issue to discuss,” said Agarwal.
The Samajwadi Party leader further said that the BJP could clearly see its failure in the assembly polls, adding that is the reason for the saffron party allowing its party leaders to speak whatever they want to.
