New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS): Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi on Monday criticised Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his purported remarks about the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner, saying India’s cultural and civilisational traditions should be respected.
LoP Rahul Gandhi, while posting a picture of ‘chole bhature’ on his social media accounts, said, “For the record: 80 per cent of Indians are non-vegetarian. Indian non-vegetarian food is delicious. As are my sister’s chole bhature.”
Reacting to the remarks, Qasmi said India is a land of Sanatan and alleged that non-vegetarian food is not part of Sanatan civilisation and culture.
“India is a land of Sanatan, and there is no non-vegetarian food in Sanatan’s civilisation and culture. Every country has its own dignity. I do not know what kind of mindset Rahul Gandhi has or what has happened to him. If he wants to eat non-vegetarian food, there is no problem; no one is stopping him. But every country uses such occasions to showcase its culture, civilisation and traditions,” he told IANS.
“India has also showcased its traditions and culture to the world. Rahul Gandhi should understand that BRICS itself has demonstrated how powerful India is and how strong a leader Prime Minister Modi is. In my view, Rahul Gandhi should not make such petty remarks or speak with such a mindset, as these statements only diminish his stature,” he added.
Qasmi also welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029.
“The UCC will play a very significant role in the country’s development. All developed and educated countries around the world have the UCC in place. There should be one nation, one law and one Constitution, with the entire country governed by the same framework. Separate personal laws for different communities should not exist in the country,” he said.
He noted that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was the first to implement the UCC in the state and said preparations were underway in several other places.
“Since the NDA government is strong and effective in taking decisions, we hope the UCC will be implemented across the country during its tenure. We welcome it,” Qasmi said.
On ‘Vande Mataram’ being sung before the National Anthem ahead of the India-Afghanistan T20I match, Qasmi said the National Song had been accorded the same legal respect as the National Anthem.
“Vande Mataram, the National Song, has been accorded the same legal respect as the National Anthem. This is a matter of happiness for the country. It was sung at the cricket stadium and is also being sung at several other programmes, including in Parliament,” he said.
“I hope people across the country will sing Vande Mataram with the same respect and express their patriotism. I pray that God gives wisdom to those who oppose it as well,” he added.
Reacting to reports of the closure of 252 madrasas in West Bengal, Qasmi said religious institutions should operate within the framework of the law.
“A madrasa is a place for religious education. Politics has created a lot of confusion around madrasas, especially in Bengal, where political parties and governments have been in power,” he said.
He alleged that political patronage had allowed some mosques and madrasas to come up illegally.
“The point about the NDA government is that they function according to the law. So, if such madrasas are being shut down or demolished, or such mosques and madrasas are being sealed and legal action is being taken, it is a good thing. Muslims should welcome it. Islam does not approve of illegal madrasas or illegal mosques,” Qasmi said.
