Communal clashes up by 94% since 2019, says AAP’s Sanjay Singh in Rajya Sabha, blames BJP

Sanjay Singh, a member of parliament (MP) for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, accusing the saffron party of being responsible for a 94% increase in communal violence cases nationwide since 2019.

Singh said that “incendiary and hate speeches” made by the leaders of the ruling party were to blame for the spike in intercommunal violence.

“If we compare the cases of communal violence from 2019 to 2024, it shows an increase of 94 per cent. And why is communal violence happening? It is because you (BJP leaders) give inciting speeches. Your people indulge in hateful talks,” Singh said

The AAP representative was alluding to the current unrest in Nagpur surrounding the burial of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb from the 18th century as well as the nation’s growing temple-mosque conflicts.

Speaking at a discussion on the Home Ministry’s operations, Singh claimed, “You are spreading hate in the country when the rest of the world is moving towards development.” Powerful individuals have been arguing it will harm government-protected landmarks from the Mughal era, he said.