By IANS,
Srinagar : The alleged anti-Muslim speech by Varun Gandhi has evoked anger and fear in the Kashmir Valley with many concerned about the “growing intolerance” against minorities among some Indian politicians.
Kashmiri Muslims voiced concern as television channels Wednesday replayed the controversial alleged speech made by the young Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate and scion of Gandhi family.
“He names Muslim men and women in his speech and calls them frightening and horrible. It is unfortunate,” said an angered Irfan Hassan, 28, a university student here.
Gandhi has said the video showing him making inflammatory speeches was doctored despite telltale TV visuals showing that it was he who made them.
“If he is expecting to win elections by saying that he would cut off the hands of those who raise them against Hindus and thereby threatens the Muslims in the country, what more proof is needed to have him arrested,” asked Muzaffar Ahmad, a college teacher.
The man-on-the-street feels the venom contained in Gandhi’s speech spells disaster for communal tolerance in the country.
“It simply speaks of the growing intolerance against the minorities. I see no reason other than some sort of a mental sickness for harbouring such venom against Muslims,” said Shabir Ahmad, 46, a school teacher.
Many feel the vote bank politics is over-ruling all morality among the politicians who want to stoke communal passions to consolidate their support by polarising communities across the country.
“He now says the CD has been doctored. Why doesn’t he clearly apologise for views which are now widely believed and seen as his own,” said Nisar Hussain, a retired government engineer.
“He is talking of Mahatma Gandhi’s (philosophy) as foolish. Ironical that such a left-handed compliment should have come for the Mahatma from a scion of the Nehru-Gandhi (family),” Hussain wondered.