BJP, AAP play politics of polarization of communities for political gains—Salman Khurshid

NEW DELHI, January 20, 2025—Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid said that one disturbing trend witnessed during the present Delhi Assembly election campaigns by BJP and Aam Aadmi Party was polarization of communities and groups by announcing various sops to gain political mileage in the Delhi Assembly elections. He said that Congress has maintained a consistent stand that it stands for and speaks for all, for the welfare of all, and not for any targeted religious community.

Addressing a press conference at the DPCC office, Rajiv Bhawan here today, Shri Salman Khurshid said that Congress respects all without any discrimination. He said there are poor, middle class and rich among minorities like in other communities, and Congress does not play appeasement politics.

Shri Salman Khurshid said that Kejriwal promised that  Pujaris and Granthis will be given Rs 18,000 per month if AAP returns to power, but why make such a promise now as Pujaris and Granthis do puja every day, why they were denied such honorariums till now?

Khurshid said that Kejriwal misled the Dalits with his Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme, announced in 2020, but due to fund shortage, Dalit students were not sent abroad. He said that only Rs 25 lakh was distributed in scholarships, but spent Rs 5 crore for its publicity.

Salman Khurshid asked Kejriwal some questions which he should have clarified long ago:

  1. Your silence on the communal violence in Jahangirpuri and East Delhi.

After the communal violence in Jahangirpuri and East Delhi, you neither visited the affected areas nor spoke publicly in favor of the victimized and vulnerable communities. As the then Chief Minister of Delhi, why did you maintain silence? What steps have you taken since then to address the problems of the affected communities and restore their confidence – especially in areas like Jahangirpuri and East Delhi?

2. Manish Sisodia’s shameful silence on Bilkis Bano case

The Bilkis Bano case transcended caste and religion and shocked the sensibilities of the country. But then AAP Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had clearly refused to condemn that shameful incident or make any comment on it. This raises serious questions about AAP’s commitment towards justice.

Why didn’t AAP do anything to hold those responsible for that case accountable or show solidarity with the victim?

3. Your statement regarding Shaheen Bagh during CAA-NRC protest

The protest held at Shaheen Bagh was a symbol of peaceful protest against discriminatory laws like CAA and NRC. But your statement regarding “vacating” the area raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the protests taking place during that time and further weakened the voices of the vulnerable communities. Is this AAP’s approach towards civil liberty and dissent?

4. Nizamuddin Markaz case

During the Corona pandemic, the way a particular community was blamed for Nizamuddin Markaz incident increased communal tension. Your government handled that incident in a way that seemed to promote the politics of division rather than strengthening the spirit of unity. What did your government do to counter that divisive narrative and ensure fairness?

5. Punishment of AAP MLA Naresh Yadav

The punishment given to AAP MLA Naresh Yadav in the case of desecration of the Holy Quran Sharif is a matter of serious concern. How does AAP justify keeping those who do such divisive work in the party? Have any steps been taken to ensure accountability in the party?