Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has recently addressed the controversy surrounding new guidelines for the Kanwar Yatra, a significant Hindu pilgrimage. His comments follow backlash over a directive from the Muzaffarnagar police requiring businesses along the yatra route to display the names of their owners.
The Controversy
The guidelines, aimed at improving safety and security during the Kanwar Yatra, were met with criticism from various quarters. Naqvi initially expressed concern that the directive could “promote the evil of untouchability,” referring to it as an overzealous move that could foster discrimination. He shared his views in a social media post, highlighting the potential for such orders to exacerbate social divisions.
Naqvi’s Revised Position
In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Naqvi modified his stance, emphasizing that the guidelines are meant to ensure safety and purity for all participants, not just one community. He explained that the initial criticism stemmed from confusion and miscommunication regarding the directive.
“I am happy that the state government has issued a collective guideline for the Kanwar Yatra route. These guidelines are for the security, safety, and purity of the yatra and the yatris. My opinion is that no one should spread any communal confusion over this. Safety and security are a collective responsibility and should be enforced,” Naqvi stated.
Reflections on BJP’s Election Performance
In the same interview, Naqvi addressed the BJP’s recent performance in the Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, where the party won 33 out of 80 seats, a decline from previous elections. Naqvi attributed this to various factors and expressed optimism about the party’s ability to learn from the results and improve.
“The results were definitely not as per our expectations. As far as the percentage of votes is concerned, it was more than 40%. This is a ray of hope for our party,” he said.
BJP’s Alliance and Governance
Discussing the BJP’s current alliances with JD(U) and TDP, Naqvi underscored the party’s commitment to working with allies, highlighting that this approach has been consistent since the 2014 elections. He contrasted this with the Congress’s tendency to create problems for its allies.
The Broader Context
Naqvi also responded to criticism of the similar guidelines being implemented in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. He reiterated that such measures are necessary to maintain law and order and ensure harmonious participation in religious events.
In summary, Naqvi’s comments reflect a nuanced stance on the Kanwar Yatra guidelines, emphasizing the need for clarity and communal harmony while defending the necessity of the measures for safety and order.
Comentarios