Politics escalated following Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s remarks on secularism at a book launch event in New Delhi. The BJP and Congress engaged in heated exchanges over Gadkari’s stance on secularism and communal politics. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla defended Gadkari’s comments, emphasizing the correctness of his views.
Poonawalla questioned the Congress party’s historical stance on religious partition and Hindu-Muslim riots. He criticized the Congress for allegedly promoting Muslim reservations and quotas in contracts, accusing the party of engaging in appeasement politics. In response, Congress MP Imran Masood rejected divisive politics and highlighted India’s freedom struggle as a testament to Hindu-Muslim unity.
Masood emphasized the shared history of Hindus and Muslims in the fight for independence, countering allegations of communal divisions. He attributed the rise of divisive politics to the Muslim League and other political forces, challenging the BJP’s role in exacerbating communal tensions. The reactions stemmed from Gadkari’s speech at the book launch of ‘Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti’, where he underscored the true essence of secularism.
Gadkari emphasized that secularism should not be equated with favoritism towards any particular community. He advocated for ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’, promoting equal respect for all religions and justice for every citizen. Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gadkari affirmed India’s secular identity, rooted in the country’s cultural heritage rather than political affiliations. He also highlighted the collective welfare ethos of Indian culture, contrasting it with individual or familial interests.
