Congress MP Imran Masood slams Sajid Rashidi over Kanwariya 'terrorist' remarks
Synopsis
A Congress MP has publicly stripped a prominent cleric of his religious credentials — not over theology, but over remarks calling Kanwar Yatra pilgrims 'terrorists'. Imran Masood's rebuke of Sajid Rashidi, paired with his own flower-showering welcome to Kanwariyas in Saharanpur, is as much a political statement as a religious one.
Key Takeaways
Congress MP Imran Masood declared that Maulana Sajid Rashidi does not deserve the title of 'Maulana' over his remarks on Kanwariyas.
Rashidi , president of the All India Imam Association , had called certain Kanwar Yatra participants 'terrorists' and alleged they joined the pilgrimage after consuming intoxicants.
A case has been registered against Rashidi at Civil Lines police station , Muzaffarnagar .
Masood accused Rashidi of taking money from TV channels and spreading hatred, with no connection to Islam.
Masood also welcomed Kanwariyas at a Kanwar Seva Camp in Saharanpur , distributing prasad and showering flowers.
Congress MP Imran Masood on 10 August launched a sharp attack on All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi over the cleric's controversial remarks labelling certain Kanwar Yatra participants as 'terrorists', declaring that Rashidi does not deserve the title of 'Maulana' and accusing him of acting as a paid intermediary for television channels.
What Rashidi Said
Rashidi had alleged that a section of Kanwar Yatra participants do not join the pilgrimage out of genuine religious devotion, but do so after consuming intoxicants and go on to cause public disturbances. In his remarks, he said: 'You call those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants devotees of Lord Shiva? You call those who assault police personnel in uniform Shiv Bhakts? 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.' The remarks triggered widespread outrage across multiple quarters.
Masood's Rebuttal
Reacting sharply, Masood said: 'He is not a Maulana. Let me make that clear first — he cannot be called a Maulana. He engages in such dalaali (middleman work): he is involved in the TRP game, he takes money from channels, or is paid to appear on television channels. He has nothing to do with Islam. He tries to spread the agenda of hatred.' Masood's remarks represent a rare instance of a Muslim political leader publicly repudiating a prominent cleric's credentials over communally sensitive comments.
Legal Action Against Rashidi
A case has been registered against Rashidi at the Civil Lines police station in Muzaffarnagar district for making objectionable remarks about Kanwariyas. The controversy has unfolded during the holy month of Shravan, when devotees across the country observe prayers and religious ceremonies dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Kanwar Yatra sees its peak footfall.
Masood's Show of Communal Harmony
Masood also drew attention to the tradition of communal harmony in Saharanpur, where he welcomed Kanwariyas at a Kanwar Seva Camp by showering flowers and distributing prasad among the devotees. 'This is the culture of Saharanpur, and it is part of our tradition that we celebrate all festivals together. As every year, our associates have set up several Kanwar camps this year as well,' he said. He noted that such camps are organised across Saharanpur annually, with broad community participation.
Broader Context
Rashidi's remarks have drawn criticism from several quarters beyond the Congress. This comes amid a politically charged atmosphere surrounding the Kanwar Yatra, which has seen recurring flashpoints in recent years over questions of route management, identity, and public order. Masood's intervention — distancing himself from Rashidi while simultaneously demonstrating outreach to Hindu pilgrims — reflects the tightrope that opposition leaders walk on issues of religious sensitivity ahead of state and national electoral cycles.
Point of View
A region that has historically been a communal flashpoint. What is notable is that Rashidi's remarks, whatever their intent, handed his critics a ready-made controversy during the most visible Hindu pilgrimage season. The filing of a criminal case in Muzaffarnagar — a district with its own fraught communal history — adds institutional weight to what might otherwise have remained a media dispute. Whether Rashidi's remarks reflect a fringe view or a broader undercurrent within certain clerical circles is a question mainstream coverage has largely sidestepped.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Maulana Sajid Rashidi say about Kanwariyas?
Rashidi alleged that some Kanwar Yatra participants join the pilgrimage after consuming intoxicants and create public disturbances, calling them 'terrorists' rather than Shiv Bhakts. He cited incidents of alleged assaults on police, damage to a school van, and blocking of an ambulance as examples.
How did Congress MP Imran Masood respond to Rashidi's remarks?
Masood said Rashidi cannot be called a 'Maulana' and accused him of acting as a paid intermediary for television channels, spreading hatred, and having no genuine connection to Islam. He made these remarks publicly on 10 August.
Has any legal action been taken against Sajid Rashidi?
Yes, a case has been registered against Rashidi at the Civil Lines police station in Muzaffarnagar district for making objectionable remarks about Kanwariyas and the Kanwar Yatra.
What is the All India Imam Association?
The All India Imam Association is an organisation representing mosque imams across India. Sajid Rashidi serves as its president and has previously made public statements on religious and communal matters.
What did Imran Masood do to demonstrate communal harmony?
Masood welcomed Kanwariyas at a Kanwar Seva Camp in Saharanpur by showering flowers and distributing prasad, highlighting the city's tradition of celebrating all festivals together across communities.
