Irresponsible politics creates irresponsible leaders under whose influence countries suffer. Unfortunately, India is witnessing a lot of irresponsible talks and incitement to violence. One such incident has been reported by almost all news channels and print media.
Parvesh Verma, a sitting MP of BJP, elected from West Delhi, made a highly inflammatory speech in a “Virat Hindu Sammelan” organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and some other Hindutva organisations in Dilshad Garden on October 9. This was said to be an Akrosh Sabha (protest meet) to condemn the killing on one Manish some time back by six Muslim youths. Here we pause to condemn any violent act and vehemently condemn murder. We believe a murder becomes more heinous if it is committed by a Muslim. Because killing an innocent person is equal to killing of the whole mankind, as has been described by Almighty Allah in the Holy Qur’ān.
But, incitement to total boycott of a whole community for the crime of a few irresponsible urchins is also condemnable. The video of what the MP said has gone viral and reputed media persons and human rights activists have been strongly condemning it. The “honourable” MP asked the audience to raise the hands and take a vow that they will not buy any goods from their shops and even will not employ them as workers or labourers.
Mr. Parvesh Verma had been notorious for making inflammatory speeches in the past also. On 28 January 2020, in a televised interview, he made the following derogatory remarks against Muslim men in particular: “The people of Delhi know that the fire that raged in Kashmir a few years ago, where the daughters and sisters of Kashmiri Pandits were raped… caught on in UP, Hyderabad, Kerala, the same fire is raging in a corner in Delhi. This fire can reach the residences of Delhi any time. People of Delhi will have to decide wisely. These people will enter your houses, rape your sisters and daughters, and kill them. There is time today, Modi and Amit Shah won’t come to save you tomorrow.” That was the past of this MP and now you see his present.
Recently the Supreme Court of India has also taken the cognisance of hate speech. Let us hope that the ruling party will also take action and put a stop to all such inflammatory statements.
In the same meeting another speaker, Jagat Guru Yogeshwar Acharya said: “If such people point a finger at our temples, don’t cut his finger, cut off his hand. If needed, slit his throat, too. What will happen? One or two persons will be hanged… let us pay attention to this… pick and kill them.” On October 10, Indian Express reported that when media persons asked him about his speech, he said, “I will say this again and again…. I am ready to be hanged for the sake of Hindu religion.”
Mixture of irresponsible politics and misused religion makes a dangerous brew, which is more than enough to disturb peace, incite violence and destroy the country. The ruling party, the government and the judiciary must act before it is too late.