In a press interaction on Sunday, VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi sparked controversy by demanding the closure of madrasas across the country, alleging that they serve as breeding grounds for 'love jihad.' Prachi further claimed that a certain community has a centuries-old agenda to rule over India.
During the interaction with reporters, Sadhvi Prachi made inflammatory remarks, stating, "Hindus only think about earning money, while there is a special community that thinks about ruling over India. What do they have to do? run a puncture shop on a national highway. Why is a puncture shop not seen in any bylane in a city?" The VHP leader linked the rise of 'love jihad' to the knowledge disseminated in madrasas, asserting that shutting them down would lead to peace and harmony not only in India but also worldwide.
'Love jihad' is a term frequently used by BJP leaders and right-wing activists to allege a strategy by Muslim men to induce Hindu women into religious conversion through marriage. However, the Indian government does not officially recognize the term, as stated by junior home minister G Kishan Reddy in a parliamentary response in 2020, clarifying that no central agencies had registered any cases under it.
Sadhvi Prachi also took the opportunity to express her opinion on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, dismissing his aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh again. She confidently stated, "He will neither become the UP Chief Minister nor Prime Minister. Even in the 2024 parliamentary elections, Narendra Modi will come back, people know this, and they will vote for Modi ji only."
Additionally, Sadhvi Prachi commented on the ongoing anti-encroachment drive against illegal religious constructions in Uttarakhand. She emphasized that no mosques were being removed but illegal mausoleums were being demolished. Prachi expressed concern about the increasing number of non-Hindus in Uttarakhand and alleged an exodus of Hindus from the state, urging Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take action.
The VHP leader's statements have generated heated discussions about Hindu-Muslim relations, religious conversions, and the role of educational institutions. While her remarks align with the views of some right-wing activists, they have also attracted criticism for promoting divisive narratives.
(With PTI Inputs)
