Jammu: On Sunday, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti compared the “oppression” of Hindus in Bangladesh to the treatment of minorities in India, raising objections to the recent mosque surveys.
The BJP criticised Mufti’s remarks, calling them “anti-national” and demanded strict action against her for drawing parallels between the situations in Bangladesh and India.
Speaking at a gathering of party workers, Mehbooba Mufti acknowledged that most Hindus in India are secular and urged collective action to combat forces dividing people on religious lines, cautioning against a repeat of the communal riots of 1947.
“While Hindus in Bangladesh face oppression, if minorities in India are subjected to similar treatment, what difference does it make? India is renowned globally for its secular character,” she remarked.
Mufti alleged harassment of minorities and the targeting of mosques in India under the pretext of searching for “shivlings.” She drew comparisons to Bangladesh, where Hindus face imprisonment for voicing dissent, likening it to the treatment of activists like Umar Khalid in India.
She lamented the deteriorating state of the country and stressed the inclusive vision of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel, and BR Ambedkar, who envisioned a harmonious coexistence for all communities.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister accused the BJP of diverting attention from pressing issues like unemployment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure by focusing on religious disputes and targeting mosques. She cited the recent killing of four youths in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, expressing concern over the lack of accountability.
Referring to a claim about the Ajmer Sharif dargah being built over a Shiva temple, Mufti highlighted its representation of India’s pluralistic “Ganga-Jamuni” culture, which attracts visitors from all faiths. She warned against further communal targeting of such sacred sites.
Mufti called for resistance against these divisive trends, emphasising the secular nature of the Hindu majority and the need for unity. “We must stand together to preserve our shared future,” she said.
The BJP condemned Mufti’s statements, describing them as “wrong and unacceptable.” Ravinder Raina, a senior BJP leader, accused her of spreading conspiracies and demanded action against her. He contrasted India’s treatment of minorities with the human rights violations in Bangladesh, including attacks on the minority community, the desecration of statues, and the exile of its elected leaders.
