Gandhi's Hate Speech Angers Muslims

NEW DELHI — Indian Muslims are outraged by a communally charged-up hate speech made by Varun Gandhi, the grandson of the late premier Indira Gandhi, who reportedly made derogatory remarks against Muslims.

"The blood of Gandhi family has been contaminated. Varun Gandhi has proved that it is the right-wing blood that is running in his veins," advocate S.S. Shaikh told IslamOnline.net on Wednesday, March 18.

Varun, 29, made offensive remarks against Muslims at campaign speech in Pilibhit, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), on Sunday.

"If someone thinks Hindus are weak or leaderless, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand," he threatened in the video-recorded speech.

Communal violence has flared between Hindus and Muslims in Pilibhit, where the young Gandhi is making his political debut in next month's general election on the ticket of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Varun also reportedly compared a Muslim politician to Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda.

The Election commission has pressed charges against him under Section 153 (a) of the Penal Code on "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony."

He is also facing charges under Section 125 of the People’s Representative Act which addresses "offence of promoting enmity between classes in connection with the elections."

If convicted, Varun, the great grandson of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first premier, could be disqualified from contesting the election and face imprisonment.

Although he is a descendant of the influential Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, Varun belongs to a side of the family that has disowned them.

Three out of India's 14 premier belong to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Election Tactic

Some Muslims have played down the issue.

"It is the most stupid and childish outburst of a young bright man," says Hasan Kamaal, a noted columnist and lyricist.

He said that it was the arrogance and political inexperience that prompted Varun to make such a statement.

"Varun has inherited the same arrogance of his late father Sanjay Gandhi. He is a political naiveté and the controversial statement is going to cost his political career."

But many others see this episode as part of a larger political game.

"This is an attempt to win votes and instill a sense of insecurity and fear among Hindus. And this can be only done by attacking soft targets," Professor Mustafa Khan told IOL.

"BJP will get votes only by communalizing the situation," he believes.

"BJP doesn’t have hopes of winning the election because of self-division and like the old tiger they will go for soft targets."

Javed Anand of Muslims for Secular Democracy agrees.

"On all available indications, prospects of a return of NDA (National Democratic Alliance headed by BJP) rule are quite dim," he believes.

"So the BJP and its individual candidates have to think of desperate measures. Varun Gandhi’s case looks like one such ‘cynical’ move.

"This could well be Varun’s sick strategy of endearing himself with the Hindu voters and hopefully ensure victory. What better way to create news around yourself."

Muslims want Varun disqualified from contesting the upcoming general election, scheduled to take place in April-May.

"He must be banned from contesting the election," says Shehla Masood.

"I am a Muslim and proud to be one. I thank my ancestors and God that they did not choose Pakistan and chose to stay back in India," she added, referring to the creation of India and Pakistan 60 years ago after the end of the British mandate.

"India is my country more than that of Varun Gandhi."