New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders on Thursday criticised the All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi over his remarks on Kanwariyas, saying it was wrong to label an entire community in such a manner.
Amid several videos of Kanwariyas allegedly consuming alcohol, engaging in unruly behaviour, and creating disturbances going viral on social media, Rashidi said on Thursday that those involved in such acts cannot be called devotees of Lord Shiva.
Speaking to IANS, the All India Imam Association President said, “You call those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants the devotees of Lord Shiva? You call those who assault police personnel in uniform… Shiv Bhakts? You call those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children… Shiv Bhakts? You even call those who stop an ambulance carrying a patient and force people to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’… Shiv Bhakts? They are not Shiv Bhakts; they are terrorists.”
Reacting to Maulana Rashidi’s remark, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale told IANS, “I believe Maulana Sajid Rashidi should not have made such a statement. It is not right to allege that all Kanwariyas are terrorists. There may be one or two criminals, but that does not mean every Kanwariya is a terrorist. Every religion, whether Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, or Christian, may have some criminals, but it is wrong to label an entire community in this manner.”
BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal said that carrying the Kanwar is a matter of deep faith and devotion.
“Anyone who attacks that faith will not be tolerated by society. Those who make objectionable statements about the Kanwar Yatra are attacking people’s religious beliefs. The Sanatani and Hindu society will not tolerate any such attack on its faith,” he added.
Bihar Minister Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari also criticised Maulana Rashidi’s remarks and said, “If he has made such a statement, then perhaps Osama bin Laden is his ideal. If that is the case, he is free to worship him. For us, Shiv devotees are our ideals and the pride of Sanatan Dharma. The governments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have worked to ensure that Kanwariyas complete their pilgrimage without any inconvenience.”
BJP Bihar Vice-President Pawan Jaiswal said, “If he is truly a Maulana, then it is unfortunate that he has used such language against Shiv devotees during the holy month of Shravan. Kanwariyas walk long distances in devotion, and such statements are aimed at spreading hatred, dividing society, and creating conflict. Calling Shiv devotees terrorists is highly condemnable.”
Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal said, “Every community has some people who make irrational and irresponsible statements. They have nothing meaningful to do and keep making such comments merely to remain in the media spotlight. I do not think such foolish remarks deserve much attention.”
RJD Chief Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav also condemned Maulana Rashidi’s statement, saying, “Every person has the right to follow their own faith. No one should make objectionable remarks about another religion or its followers. Such people do not even represent their own religion. They spread hatred and seek to divide society.”
(IANS)
