Yet again a BJP leader has stirred massive controversy by his call for a “total boycott” in a speech seemingly aimed at Muslims. MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, speaking at a public event in Dilshad Garden in northeast Delhi, made the statement. Speaking at the same event, Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Nand Kishor Gurjar made controversial comments on Muslims by saying, “Our beautiful city has become a city for pigs.” The latest hate speech controversy comes at a time when India has been trying to fend off bad press, especially at the global level, over how it has been treating its large Muslim population.
The controversial statement on Prophet Mohammed by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma has already caused embarrassment to the nation. India had to walk the extra mile to rebuild relations after many Arab countries expressed displeasure over the statement. Also, the US government’s commission on religious freedom in June this year asked the Biden administration to categorise India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and 11 other nations as “countries of particular concern” in the context of religious freedom. India called the report “biased and inaccurate.” Ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre, there has been a relentless attack on minorities across India. For their short-term political gain, the saffron party is causing massive division in the name of religion. India will suffer in the long run from it.