BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has sparked controversy with his remarks regarding the recent demolition of an unauthorized mosque in Dharavi. At a press conference in Mulund, Somaiya alleged that officials faced violence while executing the demolition orders, claiming it was part of a broader pattern of “vote jihad” and appeasement of Muslims by rival political factions.
Somaiya’s statements come in the wake of tensions between the BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction, which has recently written to BJP senior leaders expressing concerns over anti-Muslim rhetoric. “Beating up the officials over the demolition of an unauthorized mosque in Dharavi will not work in Maharashtra,” Somaiya warned, emphasizing that he had reached out to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the situation.
He criticized Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and Rahul Gandhi’s Congress for allegedly fostering a political climate that encourages unrest among Muslim communities. “They are ferrying Muslims and causing riots,” Somaiya claimed. He added that these actions undermine the stability of the region and warned that the BJP would not support policies favoring Muslims.
Somaiya continued to link his grievances to the recent communal tensions, asserting, “Uddhav Thackeray and Rahul Gandhi have been running a bath for Muslims since the Lok Sabha elections.” He accused these leaders of conspiring to create unrest to secure votes from Muslim communities.
Addressing the specifics of the Dharavi incident, Somaiya accused the Thackeray faction of misusing Waqf board lands and engaging in what he termed “Lane Jihad.” He alleged that such actions are a strategy to garner Muslim votes, suggesting that the recent riots were orchestrated for political gain.
His comments reflect ongoing tensions within the Mahayuti coalition, with Somaiya issuing a stern warning: “If any party in the Mahayuti does such a thing, it will not work.” The escalating rhetoric from Somaiya and the BJP raises questions about the political landscape in Maharashtra, particularly in the context of communal relations and the upcoming elections.
As the political discourse heats up, the implications of Somaiya’s statements and the response from other parties will be closely watched, particularly as the Ajit Pawar group becomes increasingly vocal about its stance on anti-Muslim statements.
