Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Vishwas Sarang, has criticized Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, for her comments equating India’s treatment of minorities with that in Bangladesh. Sarang labeled Mufti’s statements as “anti-national” and defended India’s democratic system and its treatment of minority communities.
He emphasized that Muslims in India enjoy full democratic rights and have more freedoms and opportunities than in many Muslim-majority nations. Sarang pointed out that Mufti herself benefits from these rights, stating, “Mehbooba Mufti is also living here with full constitutional rights.” He condemned the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, calling it disgraceful and asserting that such acts will have consequences.
Mufti had expressed her concerns to the media in Jammu, stating that the situation for minorities in India is reminiscent of 1947, highlighting issues like unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and infrastructure neglect, while criticizing the focus on demolishing mosques. She drew a parallel between the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and similar issues in India, questioning the difference between the two countries.
In response to allegations of forced religious conversions in Madhya Pradesh, Sarang reiterated the state government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against such practices, confirming that FIRs have been filed in recent cases and promising strict action against offenders to prevent future incidents.