What happened
- In an interview to reporters, Indian politician Vikram Saini said that if given a ministry, he would bomb those who say they are threatened. He further abused those who said they feel unsafe.
- The debate on freedom of speech and the issue of lynchings has afftected India for a few years, with many decrying the rise in hate politics.
Dubai: A Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Vikram Saini, has come under fire on social media for threatening to bomb people who say they feel unsafe in India.
In the video released by Indian news agency ANI today, Friday, the lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that if given a ministry, he would bomb people who say they feel unsafe in India.
(Warning: Video contains offensive language)
In the video, he first said that arrangements should be made for such people.
“Leave the country. Why do you need to stay if you do not have the feeling of patriotism ... if you feel threatened? Go where you are safe,” he said.
Hate politics
Saini later clarified that this was just the language he uses and his personal opinion, which should not be associated with the party.
This is not Saini’s first brush with controversy. According to news website, Indian Express, he has previously threatened to “break the hands and legs of people” who hesitate to say ‘Vande Mataram’ (I salute/praise the motherland) or ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ (victory to Mother India) or do not consider the cow as their mother.
Backlash
Social media users highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric and how it reflected poorly on Indian lawmaking, and the ruling BJP government.
Tweep @nbrengaraju wrote: “@BJP4India should tell their people to keep their absurd views to themselves. Even if expressed as personal in public domain, such pathetic views are destroying the party.”
Some users took notice of the slogans being used by Saini’s supporters in the background as he made these statements.
Twitter user @NoMoNaMo1 posted: “The true face of politicians irrespective of party. Why is ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ being chanted? Instead of raising slogans and songs, these politicians should be made to read out the fundamental rights of citizens from Indian Constitution before every assembly session. Obviously they are unaware of it.”
Social media users viewed Saini’s comments as references to members of the film fraternity who had spoken out about their concerns of feeling unsafe in India.
Most recently, Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah had said he worried about his children in today’s political climate. Indian actor Aamir Khan had stated in 2015 that his wife Kiran Rao asked if they should move out of the country fearing intolerance.
Twitter user @akshat1303 shared the video writing: “Ahh I feel so safe now. BJP MLAs are so peaceful ... #naseeruddinshah”
