BJP leader calls Muslims ‘demons’ during Holi celebrations in Uttar Pradesh, sparks outrage
Lucknow: In a disturbing display of anti-Muslim rhetoric, BJP leader and former MLA Raghavendra Pratap Singh sparked communal tension during the Hindu festival of Holi in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, by making openly incendiary statements against Muslims.
According to Kashmir Media Service, footage that has gone viral shows Singh referring to Muslims as “demons” and urges attendees to pledge their commitment to eliminating them, claiming that only then will Sanatan Dharma survive. Singh, a former legislator from Dumariyaganj, declares in the video, “Today, demons are mushrooming everywhere. Today’s demons are Muslims. There is no doubt or hesitation about this,” Singh declares in the video.
The video has triggered widespread concern and outrage among the Muslim community. Residents in Siddharthnagar have expressed fear for their safety and are seeking reassurance from state authorities and law enforcement agencies. Local mosques and community centres are urging people to remain calm while demanding immediate protection and a thorough investigation.
This is not the first time Singh has made statements targeting Muslims. Community leaders say he has repeatedly promoted narratives of so-called “love jihad” and has threatened to kidnap Muslim girls. Locals are calling for strict police action, citing a long history of inaction against Singh despite multiple complaints. Shan Mohammad, a local resident, said Singh has the backing of top authorities in the state and even if a case is filed, nothing will happen. “This leaves ordinary Muslims vulnerable and scared.”
“These are street-level threats, clothed in political language. They may get applause from some supporters, but the consequences are grave,” says political analyst Anwar Ali. “Such statements deepen the divisions in our society and create an environment of fear for Indian Muslims.”
Legal experts and human rights activists have highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric. “Open calls for violence against a specific community are illegal and threaten the very fabric of India’s secular democracy,” said Farida Khan, a human rights lawyer. “The authorities must act swiftly to prevent escalation.”
Social media users condemned the hate speech, criticizing repeated failures to curb such dangerous statements. Civil society experts have warned that inflammatory statements like Singh’s could severely damage communal harmony and trust, calling for swift prosecution and an uncompromising stance against hate speech targeting minorities.
