Yogi’s remarks against Islam, Urdu reflect his deep-seated Islamophobia: Ruhullah Mehdi
Srinagar: Senior leader of the National Conference and Indian parliament member from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, has condemned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his anti-Islam and anti-Urud remarks, terming them a reflection of the latter’s “deep-seated Islamophobia”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a post on X, Mehdi took a dig at Adityanath, saying, “Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s vile remarks — using the slur ‘kathmulla’ and deriding maulvis — are latest examples of his deep-seated Islamophobia.” Mehdi also called the Uttar Pradesh chief minister an “embodiment of RSS’s ideology of hate, division, and dehumanisation of Muslims”.
“Muslims in Uttar Pradesh deserve better than an RSS bigot,” he added.
Adityanath, known for his anti-Muslim and Islamophobic rhetoric, made the remarks during a heated exchange with Samajwadi Party leader the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, on the floor of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Pandey demanded including Urdu translation after Speaker Satish Mahana announced that proceedings would be available in four regional languages — Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj and Bundeli — as well as English.
Pandey argued that Urdu must also be included if English finds a place. In response, Yogi claimed they (Muslims) want their children to learn Urdu and become ‘maulvis’ and promote ‘kathmullah-pan’ (fanaticism).
