News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 15th December 2024
The BJP strongly condemned Trinamool Congress leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim’s demand for Muslims to increase and outnumber the “majority” in the country, questioning his “mindset”. Speaking at a minority student gathering in Kolkata on Friday, Hakim stated that Muslims should empower themselves so that their voices are heard and their aspirations for justice and development are addressed.
“In West Bengal, we are 33 per cent and nationwide we are 17 per cent. We are called a minority. But we do not think of ourselves like that,” Hakim said. “If Allah’s mercy and teachings are with us, then one day we will become bigger than the majority.” The Bengal municipal affairs and urban development minister said there is an urgent need for the judiciary to have more Muslims, claiming that the community is underrepresented. He called on the members of the Muslim community to work hard to bridge this gap.
“We can become so empowered that we will not need to hold candlelight rallies for justice. We will be in a position where our voices are automatically heard, and our calls for justice answered. Take your status and your position to a place where you can give justice yourself,” he stated. “We believe in minority community members working hand-in-hand with other communities to facilitate the progress of the nation,” Hakim added.
The BJP promptly went on the offensive, with Bengal unit chief and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar assailing Hakim for his remarks.
“This is the mindset of Firhad Hakim and all the Muslim leaders of TMC. This is the mindset of Abrahamic religious leaders that they want to occupy a region based on their religion,” he said.
Majumdar also hit out at Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and accused the ruling party of trying to turn Bengal into another Bangladesh, which is witnessing attacks against the minority Hindu community under the military-backed regime.
“Whatever is happening in Bangladesh, the same will happen in the state of West Bengal if they get the majority. We have been saying that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to turn the state into Bangladesh. This is high time for Hindus staying in West Bengal,” he charged.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that the Bengal minister was talking about taking justice into his own hands and hinting towards a possible imposition of Sharia law.
“Kolkata’s Mayor Firhad Hakim previously revealed his true intentions by describing non-Muslims as unfortunate and endorsing Dawat-e-Islam’s efforts to convert Hindus to Islam. Hakim envisions a future where Muslims will no longer rely on peaceful protests or marches but will take justice into their own hands, potentially hinting at Sharia law,” Malviya posted on X.
