Union Minister claims Muslims' tolerance is a mask to secure posts like Governors, Vice Presidents
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Mumbai: The tolerance that Muslims show in the public is just a tactic to end up being posted as Governor and Vice President or Vice Chancellor and they would begin to speak their mind after their retirement, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Satya Pal Singh Baghel said at the RSS organised annual Narad Patrakar Samman Samaroh organised at Maharashtra Sadan.
Baghel claimed that there are only a few tolerant Muslims, so few that they can be counted on one's fingers, and even those who appear to be tolerant are merely using it as a mask to secure high-level positions such as Governors, Vice Presidents, or Vice Chancellors. This statement by the Union Minister may generate controversy, particularly within the BJP, which has very few Muslim leaders.
Baghel’s statement is also akin to questioning the appointments of Muslims like Arif Mohammed Khan as the Governor of Kerala by the BJP government.
Baghel also alluded to the ongoing debate about the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, suggesting that the basic structure of the nation is that of a Hindu Rashtra, referring to the unified Hindu state that existed before 1192. He criticised Ram Manohar Lohia's views, who claimed that Ghouri and Ghaznavi were looters while Akbar, Dara Shukoh, and Razia Sultan were ancestors. Baghel dismissed Akbar's religious tolerance as mere tactics, stating that he understood that the majority of the nation was Hindu and that he could not rule Akhand Bharat by hurting religious sentiments. Baghel further criticised the inclusion of Hindus among the Navratnas and Din-e-Ilahi and Sulah-e-Kul, stating that it was also part of a strategy.
While conceding that Akbar's reign was "less fundamentalist," Baghel stated that he could never forgive Jehangir for the murder of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the Mughals for the deeds of Aurangzeb. Baghel went on to criticise the education system in madrasas, stating that they only teach Urdu, Arabic, and Persian, which will only make the students imams, and suggested that if they studied physics and chemistry, they could become Abdul Kalam.
During the same event, Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar spoke ahead of Baghel, emphasising the need for India to embrace figures such as Akbar, who were tolerant. Mahurkar suggested that India must fight Islamic fundamentalism while embracing moderate and tolerant Muslims. Baghel dismissed Mahurkar's suggestion and criticised Akbar's religious tolerance, stating that it was merely a strategy.
The RSS joint publicity in-charge Narendra Thakur, who also spoke at the event, called on the media to refrain from negative journalism and to prioritise positive news on their front pages. Thakur cautioned against fake news, particularly on social media, where the RSS has been a victim.
Baghel's comments have been met with criticism from various quarters, with many calling for him to apologise and retract his remarks. Some have accused him of spreading hate and bigotry, while others have pointed out that his statements are factually incorrect. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens, regardless of their faith, and the country has a long history of secularism and religious tolerance.
