Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid faced intense criticism from the BJP on Wednesday following his comments about potential unrest in India similar to the turmoil in Bangladesh.
BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala accused Khurshid of “inciting and provoking” violence with his statements. “This shows Congress mindset of putting Rajniti over Rashtraniti and also its penchant to exploit issues for political gains,” Poonawala said. He questioned whether Rahul Gandhi supports Khurshid’s remarks, stating, “Rahul Gandhi, in all party meet, extended full support to the government’s stand on Bangladesh unrest but Salman Khurshid is inciting people to violence. Will Rahul take action against the Congress leader?”
Khurshid stirred controversy on Tuesday by suggesting that violence and unrest akin to Bangladesh’s could occur in India despite its democratic fabric. At a book launch event, he referred to the Shaheen Bagh protests and stated that Bangladesh-like turmoil was possible in India.
Poonawala further criticized Khurshid, saying, “He is the same leader who compared Hindutva with Boko Haram, ISIS and other militant outfits. Congress leaders have time and again berated the Indian institutions on foreign soil and also sought foreign intervention.”
The BJP spokesperson accused the Congress-led ecosystem of belittling Indian institutions and undermining the Indian Armed Forces. “Double standards of Congress ecosystem stands exposed again,” Poonawala declared.
Poonawala also questioned Khurshid’s intentions, asking, “Whom the Congress leader was signalling at, by drawing parallels with Bangladesh. Do they (Congress) want Hindus to be attacked in India too?”
The situation in Bangladesh has raised concerns in India. On Sunday, Bangladesh experienced severe chaos and anarchy, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country amid violent protests against a new quota system, which received support from banned groups like Jamaat-e-Islami. The crisis in Bangladesh has alerted Indian security agencies, and some view Khurshid’s comments as fear-mongering.
