New Delhi: Between Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have had a busy week spewing statements which are blatantly communal, target Muslims and can be construed as hate speech.
The ball was set rolling by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath who came to the defence of a police officer in Sambhal who recently asked those who were uncomfortable with colours on Holi – meaning Muslims – to stay home on the day.
Holi coincides with the second Friday of the month of Ramzan, considered holy by Muslims – a fact that has offered the BJP endless fodder for communal statements.
But Holi is not the only reason why BJP leaders have targeted Muslims.
Raghuraj Singh
Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party leader Raghuraj Singh has said that Muslim men should wear hijabs made of tarpaulin to avoid any inconvenience during Holi celebrations on Friday (March 14).
Singh, reported PTI, is chairman of the high-power advisory committee of the labour and employment ministry of the state. His rank is similar to that of a junior minister.
“The administration is on alert in view of Holi celebrations and for the ‘Juma namaz’ (Friday prayers) but some people have their objections. To those people, I would request that like the women there (ostensibly referring to Muslim women) wear hijab, and mosques are covered using tarpaulin, they can make a hijab of tarpaulin for themselves, and can move (from one place to another). They will not face any inconvenience, and will be able to offer namaz easily,” he said.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here.