The Crossbill Team
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has strongly condemned the Uttar Pradesh Police’s move to cover 189 mosques with tarpaulin during Holi celebrations, calling it a "dastardly act" aimed at fostering communal division.
In a press statement, SKM also criticized the remarks made by senior police officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, who reportedly stated that Muslims should stay indoors if they do not want Holi colours on them. The farmers’ collective has demanded his immediate suspension and legal action against him.
“The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adotyanath has violated his solemn constitutional pledge to rule the state by ensuring justice without any discrimination based on religion, caste and gender. SKM demands immediate suspension and appropriate punishment of Anuj Kumar Chaudhary,” the SKM statement read.
The controversy escalated further after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath supported the police action, while BJP leader Raghuraj Singh made controversial remarks likening the tarpaulin-covered mosques to hijabs worn by Muslim men. SKM slammed these statements, accusing the police and right-wing organizations of working in tandem to incite communal tensions.
SKM’s Stand Against Communal Politics
Recalling its historic farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders, SKM reaffirmed its commitment to unity across caste, religion, and region, vowing to oppose any attempts by the RSS-BJP to divide society for electoral gains.
“SKM has consistently thwarted attempts of RSS/BJP to divide society and one of the greatest secular gatherings in recent times was during the historic farmers' protest at the borders of Delhi, when farmers of all religions, castes and regions came together to protest against the anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government," the SKM said.
Additionally, SKM demanded a clarification from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on its stance regarding minority rights in India. It pointed out that while the RSS frequently raises concerns about the treatment of Hindus in other countries, it must also ensure the protection of minorities within India.
“SKM demands clarification from RSS about its stand on protecting right of minorities in India. While raising the serious issue of security of minorities in various countries including Bangladesh where the minority Hindu community was suffered targeted attack recently, protecting the minority communities in India is a crucial responsibility of the Union Government, the State Governments as well as the Judiciary,” the SKM asked.
Call for Judicial and Political Response
Urging judicial intervention, SKM called on the judiciary to take suo-motu cognizance of the incident and initiate action against those responsible, including the Chief Minister and BJP leaders. The farmers' body warned that such acts undermine the constitutional principles of secularism and equality.
"The judiciary is the custodian of the constitution and law and SKM calls upon the judiciary to take suo-moto cognisance and strongest action against the acts of the UP police, the Chief Minister of UP and leaders of RSS/BJP, who have been stoking the fire of hatred towards the minority community," the SKM said.
The organization also criticized secular and democratic political parties for failing to mobilize against the rising communal tensions, holding them accountable for their inaction.
“SKM reminds political parties and independent media about their failure to perform this cardinal duty which has encouraged and emboldened religious fanatics and extremists to run riot and terrorize the minority communities; they must immediately rise to the occasion and protect the nation through all powers at their command,” the SKM demanded.
Emphasizing the need to preserve the secular fabric of the nation, SKM called upon the people of India to reject divisive politics and uphold the unity achieved through the country’s independence struggle.
In a press statement, SKM also criticized the remarks made by senior police officer Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, who reportedly stated that Muslims should stay indoors if they do not want Holi colours on them. The farmers’ collective has demanded his immediate suspension and legal action against him.
“The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adotyanath has violated his solemn constitutional pledge to rule the state by ensuring justice without any discrimination based on religion, caste and gender. SKM demands immediate suspension and appropriate punishment of Anuj Kumar Chaudhary,” the SKM statement read.
The controversy escalated further after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath supported the police action, while BJP leader Raghuraj Singh made controversial remarks likening the tarpaulin-covered mosques to hijabs worn by Muslim men. SKM slammed these statements, accusing the police and right-wing organizations of working in tandem to incite communal tensions.
SKM’s Stand Against Communal Politics
Recalling its historic farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders, SKM reaffirmed its commitment to unity across caste, religion, and region, vowing to oppose any attempts by the RSS-BJP to divide society for electoral gains.
“SKM has consistently thwarted attempts of RSS/BJP to divide society and one of the greatest secular gatherings in recent times was during the historic farmers' protest at the borders of Delhi, when farmers of all religions, castes and regions came together to protest against the anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies of the Modi government," the SKM said.
Additionally, SKM demanded a clarification from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on its stance regarding minority rights in India. It pointed out that while the RSS frequently raises concerns about the treatment of Hindus in other countries, it must also ensure the protection of minorities within India.
“SKM demands clarification from RSS about its stand on protecting right of minorities in India. While raising the serious issue of security of minorities in various countries including Bangladesh where the minority Hindu community was suffered targeted attack recently, protecting the minority communities in India is a crucial responsibility of the Union Government, the State Governments as well as the Judiciary,” the SKM asked.
Call for Judicial and Political Response
Urging judicial intervention, SKM called on the judiciary to take suo-motu cognizance of the incident and initiate action against those responsible, including the Chief Minister and BJP leaders. The farmers' body warned that such acts undermine the constitutional principles of secularism and equality.
"The judiciary is the custodian of the constitution and law and SKM calls upon the judiciary to take suo-moto cognisance and strongest action against the acts of the UP police, the Chief Minister of UP and leaders of RSS/BJP, who have been stoking the fire of hatred towards the minority community," the SKM said.
The organization also criticized secular and democratic political parties for failing to mobilize against the rising communal tensions, holding them accountable for their inaction.
“SKM reminds political parties and independent media about their failure to perform this cardinal duty which has encouraged and emboldened religious fanatics and extremists to run riot and terrorize the minority communities; they must immediately rise to the occasion and protect the nation through all powers at their command,” the SKM demanded.
Emphasizing the need to preserve the secular fabric of the nation, SKM called upon the people of India to reject divisive politics and uphold the unity achieved through the country’s independence struggle.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment