Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders on Thursday, 6 August condemned All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi for labelling certain Kanwariyas as 'terrorists', with leaders across party lines asserting that it was wrong to tar an entire community of devotees over the alleged misconduct of a few.

What Maulana Rashidi Said

Rashidi's remarks came amid the circulation of several videos on social media purportedly showing some Kanwariyas consuming alcohol, engaging in unruly behaviour, and disrupting public order. Responding to those visuals, Rashidi questioned whether individuals who 'sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants' or 'assault police personnel in uniform' could be called devotees of Lord Shiva.

'You call those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children... Shiv Bhakts? You even call those who stop an ambulance carrying a patient and force people to chant 'Jai Shri Ram'... Shiv Bhakts? They are not Shiv Bhakts; they are terrorists,' Rashidi said.

Political Backlash Across Party Lines

The rebuke was swift and crossed political divides. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said Rashidi 'should not have made such a statement,' adding, 'There may be one or two criminals, but that does not mean every Kanwariya is a terrorist. Every religion, whether Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, or Christian, may have some criminals, but it is wrong to label an entire community in this manner.'

BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal called the Kanwar Yatra a matter of 'deep faith and devotion,' warning that 'those who make objectionable statements about the Kanwar Yatra are attacking people's religious beliefs' and that 'the Sanatani and Hindu society will not tolerate any such attack on its faith.'

Bihar Leaders Weigh In

Bihar Minister Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari sharply criticised Rashidi, saying, 'If he has made such a statement, then perhaps Osama bin Laden is his ideal.' He added that the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had worked to ensure Kanwariyas complete their pilgrimage without inconvenience.

BJP Bihar Vice-President Pawan Jaiswal called the remarks 'aimed at spreading hatred, dividing society, and creating conflict,' noting that the comments came during the 'holy month of Shravan,' when Kanwariyas undertake long-distance pilgrimages on foot. Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal took a more measured tone, saying such 'irrational and irresponsible statements' from individuals seeking media attention did not deserve serious engagement.

RJD Also Distances Itself

RJD Chief Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav condemned Rashidi's statement, asserting that 'every person has the right to follow their own faith' and that 'such people do not even represent their own religion — they spread hatred and seek to divide society.' The RJD's condemnation is notable given the party's traditional Muslim voter base, signalling the political sensitivity of the controversy.

Context and Broader Implications

The row erupts against the backdrop of the annual Kanwar Yatra season, when millions of Shiva devotees travel to collect holy water from the Ganga. Incidents of disruption during the yatra have periodically triggered communal tensions in recent years, and viral videos of alleged misconduct by some participants have become a recurring flashpoint. Critics argue that selectively amplifying such incidents — on either side — risks stoking broader religious polarisation ahead of key state elections.

With multiple senior voices from both the ruling and opposition benches united in their condemnation, pressure is likely to mount on Rashidi to clarify or retract his remarks.