In Uttar Pradesh, a controversial statement by BJP leader Vinit Sharda has sparked widespread outrage. During the celebrations of Eid and Navratri, Sharda suggested that Muslims should recite Hanuman Chalisa and Durga Saptashati on Eid. He further stated that Muslims who refuse to follow these traditions should leave India, saying, "If they don’t want to follow these traditions, they should go to Pakistan." This provocative comment was widely condemned for fueling hate and division, especially during such important religious celebrations. Sharda also made remarks about closing Muslim-owned shops, particularly those selling meat, claiming they should be shut down. This suggestion raised serious concerns about the livelihoods of Muslim shopkeepers and the broader impact on communal harmony. Critics have questioned whether Sharda, or the BJP, would compensate these shopkeepers for their lost income, calling these remarks irresponsible and damaging to the social fabric of the country.In addition, Union Minister Anurag Thakur, during a program in Dehradun, targeted opposition leaders like Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman, mocking their stance through poetry. This series of comments has further fueled political and communal tensions in India, with many warning that such rhetoric could deepen divisions in the country, especially during sensitive religious festivals.
