BJP Launches Sharp Criticism Against Former VP Hamid Ansari Over Ghazni Remarks
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a strong and pointed criticism against former Vice President Hamid Ansari regarding his recent remarks about historical figures. Ansari had described Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni, a ruler from the Ghaznavid Empire, as an Indian rather than a foreign invader. The BJP accused Ansari of deliberately distorting historical facts and attempting to whitewash what they termed as brutal invasions of India.
Ansari's Controversial Statement on Historical Figures
Hamid Ansari, who served as Vice President during the Congress-led UPA governments from 2007 to 2017, made these remarks in a recent address. He stated that figures commonly labeled as foreign invaders in Indian textbooks were, in fact, Indians. Those whom we describe in our textbooks as foreign invaders—whether it is the Lodhis or Ghazni—were all Indian plunderers. They did not come from outside, Ansari said. This assertion has sparked significant political backlash and debate.
BJP's Reaction and Accusations Against Congress
Reacting sharply to Ansari's comments, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan questioned the Congress party's position on the statement. In a post on social media platform X, Kesavan described the remarks as shocking and recalled that Ansari had been the Congress-led UPA's choice for Vice President twice. Kesavan accused the Congress of attempting to sanitize violent episodes from history.
Kesavan elaborated on the historical context, noting that Mahmud of Ghazni carried out 17 raids into India during the 11th century. He claimed that major temples, including those in Mathura and Somnath, were attacked during these invasions. Kesavan also linked the issue to the Congress party's historical opposition to the reconstruction of the Somnath temple, suggesting a pattern of downplaying Hindu suffering.
Expanded Criticism from BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala
Another BJP spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawala, joined the criticism, directly attacking the Congress over Ansari's comments. Speaking to ANI, Poonawala accused the Congress ecosystem of consistently eulogising Hindu haters and downplaying atrocities committed against Hindus. The Congress ecosystem always eulogises Hindu haters. Whoever attacks or commits atrocities on Hindus is always subjected to whitewashing by the Congress ecosystem, he said.
Poonawala expanded his criticism to include Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of disrespecting constitutional institutions and national traditions by skipping key official events. He alleged that Gandhi prioritizes parivar tantra (family rule) over samvidhan tantra (constitutional rule), further intensifying the political rhetoric.
Historical Context and Political Implications
The controversy touches on sensitive historical narratives in India, particularly regarding Islamic invasions starting from the early eighth century. The BJP has long emphasized the targeting of Hindu religious sites during these periods, and Ansari's remarks have reignited debates over historical interpretation and political accountability.
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and Congress, with historical narratives becoming a focal point for criticism and counter-criticism. The BJP's strong reaction underscores its commitment to challenging what it perceives as attempts to revise or soften historical accounts of invasions and conflicts.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Congress party will respond to these allegations and whether further clarifications or statements will be issued by Hamid Ansari or other political figures involved.
