Chanting Hindu slogans, installing idols in party office ‘shameful’: Congress leader Aziz Qureshi slams party

Senior Congress party leader Aziz Qureshi has stirred up controversy with his recent remarks about some members of his own party engaging in religious tours and identifying as ‘proud Hindus’.

Qureshi also questioned why Muslims should vote for political parties that allegedly do not provide adequate opportunities for their development, saying that he would have no problem if one or two crore Indian Muslims die.

Qureshi’s remarks came to light as a video of his speech was shared on social media by Madhya Pradesh’s BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi.

In his speech, Qureshi expressed his displeasure with certain Congress members who, according to him, were participating in Hindutva-oriented activities, including religious processions and installing idols of Hindu deities in party offices. He said that these actions contradicted the secular principles that the Congress party stood for.

“Some of the members of Congress carry out Hindutva rallies. They raise slogans of ‘Jai Ganga Maiya’, ‘Jai Narmada Maiya’. It is a matter of great shame. They are installing idols of Hindu Gods in party offices. What could be a greater shame than this?” he said.

Standing firm on his comments, Qureshi challenged the Congress to remove him from the party if they wished.

“I have no fear. Remove me from the party. Today, Nehru’s heirs and Congress people take out religious processions, say ‘Jai Ganga Maiya’, and say proudly that they are Hindus. They install idols in the Congress office, it’s about drowning,” he said.

Why should Muslims vote for you?: Aziz Qureshi slams Congress, other parties

Furthermore, Qureshi addressed the Muslim community’s role in the political landscape and questioned the rationale behind Muslims voting for political parties that, in his opinion, did not sufficiently address their concerns.

“Why should Muslims vote for you? You don’t give jobs. You don’t take them in police, army or navy. Then why should Muslims vote for you?” he asked, adding that all parties, including the Congress, should realise that Muslims are not subservient to anybody.

In a subsequent interaction with the news channel Aaj Tak, Qureshi reiterated his stance and explained that his comments were motivated by concerns over the apprehensive environment in which Muslims reside across the country.

“I made this statement because Muslims across the country are residing in an environment of apprehension, facing intimidation. The Congress party intermittently embraces Hindutva. Acts like conducting worship in the Congress office, installing idols, and chanting slogans of Jai Shri Ram are contrary to Nehru’s vision. The essence of Congress being a secular party is being undermined by certain individuals, and I am striving to counteract this drift,” he said.

Qureshi, who previously served as the governor of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Mizoram, has a long-standing political career. He has held roles such as President of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy and has been a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government. In 1984, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Satna.