19 Jul. 24: In a highly controversial statement, Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh declared that allowing Muslims to remain in India post-partition was the nation’s “biggest mistake.” Singh, an MP from Begusarai, made these remarks in an interview with the RSS-affiliated publication Panchjanya.
Singh questioned the rationale behind letting Muslims stay in India after the country was divided along religious lines in 1947. He asserted that had Muslims been compelled to migrate to Pakistan at that time, the current socio-political issues wouldn’t exist.
“If the country was partitioned on religious lines, why were Muslims allowed to remain here?” Singh stated, claiming that the decision has led to ongoing conflicts.
These comments have provoked widespread condemnation online. Songwriter Darab Farooqui expressed his indignation, saying, “Do your best, Giriraj. I was born an Indian and the best you can do is kill me. But, even then, I will die as an Indian. Cry more and seethe.”
Journalist Rohini Singh criticized the minister’s logic, pointing out, “If there were no Muslims in India, the BJP wouldn’t exist and Giriraj Singh wouldn’t be made minister.”
Singh’s remarks have intensified the debate on religious and communal issues in India, drawing sharp reactions from various quarters and igniting concerns about the growing polarization in the country.
