Minority rights watchdog for action on BJP MPs

The National Commission for Minorities has sought a probe into the “vitriolic” remarks by BJP leaders against the country’s Muslims, which violate the spirit of the Constitution.

The National Commission for Minorities has sought a probe into the “vitriolic” remarks by BJP leaders against the country’s Muslims, which violate the spirit of the Constitution.

In a letter to the home minister Rajnath Singh, NCM President Naseem Ahmad cited recent statements made by BJP MPs Sakshi Maharaj, Yogi Adityanath and MLA Usha Thakur, and sought Singh’s “assurance” that the NDA government would take action against them under relevant laws.

Ahmad said “comments by Sakshi Maharaj associating terrorism with madrasas and with Muslims” and “derogatory comments on Muslims with regard to garba celebrations by MLA Usha Thakur” violated the spirit of the Constitution”. He also referred to “unfounded and extremely offensive comments about Muslims by MP Yogi Adityanath regarding ‘love jihad’ and riots being engineered by Muslims”.

“These statements are being made by prominent members of political parties and of Parliament and violate the spirit of our Constitution as well as the Indian Penal Code. I urge you to have them investigated and duly dealt with in the interest of communal harmony and a sense of security that a secular country such as ours guarantees to all its minorities,” Ahmad’s letter to Singh stated.

The NCM was urged last week by noted jurist Fali Nariman to take action against such hate speeches. Delivering the Commission’s annual lecture, Nariman had criticised the government’s silence over the issue and urged it to act.