Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju on Monday sought to defend Assam Governor >P B Acharya over his controversial remarks that “Hindustan is for Hindus” and Indian Muslims are “free to go Pakistan”, saying he did not make any religious comment.
“The Governor did not make a religious comment. But it was for all religions not any particular one. But I have not heard the other comment (about Muslims in India being free to go to Pakistan and Bangladesh),” he told reporters here.
Mr. Rijiju, Minister of State for Home, was responding to a question on the Assam Governor’s controversial comments in Guwahati in the last two days.
The Assam Governor has stoked a controversy after he reportedly said on Saturday that “Hindustan is for Hindus”, drawing sharp criticism from Congress which alleged that it was reflective of the divisive ideology of RSS and BJP which has led to incidents like Dadri lynching.
Mr. Acharya’s attempt on Sunday to clarify the alleged remarks he made on Saturday at a book launch function further stirred the row after he said that “Muslims in India are free to go anywhere....If they want to go to Pakistan, Bangladesh, they are free to go”.
Mayawati seeks Acharya’s removal
The BSP president Mayawati on Monday demanded his immediate dismissal and action against him as per the law.
Condemning Mr. Acharya's controversial remarks Ms. Mayawati in a statement issued here said "he
should be immediately dismissed and action initiated against him as per the rules."
"It is most unbecoming for a person sitting on such a high post to issue a statement which is against the spirit of the Constitution ...it is unfortunate that Central government has given such high post to people associated with the RSS having such distorted mentality," she said.
Exhorting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action in this case, she said it was also necessary to prove that there is no difference in what he preaches and follows.
"By taking action against the Assam Governor, the Prime Minister should prove that what he is claiming during his foreign trips is not aimed just at gaining cheap publicity and that in this over one year period (of being prime minister) he is more serious ...it is not the RSS dictate but national interest which is of importance for him", she said.
Terming usage of inciting, undignified and hatred spreading statements as a new dangerous ailment faced by the country along with intolerance, she said ever since NDA government came to power at the Centre people associated with BJP and company have become intolerant which has damaged social and communal atmosphere of the country.
Ms. Mayawati said there is a need to seriously ponder as to how country's image and prestige which is continuously facing being harmed at the global level can be rectified.
