Muslim community angry over the controversial comments; critics say it's an attempt to erase Islamic identity and distort history under the guise of caste politics
GONDA — A new controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district after former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh referred to a Muslim district panchayat member, Mohammad Mustakim, as a “Kshatriya from 100 years ago.” His statement, made in a public setting with cameras rolling, has triggered a wave of criticism across the state and beyond, particularly from members of the Muslim community and civil rights activists, who see it as an insult to Muslim identity and an attempt to co-opt Muslims into the Hindu caste system.
The incident occurred during a private programme attended by Brij Bhushan Singh on Tuesday in Gonda. As per eyewitnesses, Zila Panchayat member Mohammad Mustakim, who represents Mujhena III, joined the gathering and sat beside Brij Bhushan on stage. While chatting casually, the senior leader pointed towards Mustakim and said: “He is an old Kshatriya… a Kshatriya from 100 years ago.”
The comment drew laughter from some BJP workers nearby, but it didn’t sit well with many others in attendance. Mustakim was seen nodding, possibly to avoid public confrontation, but sources close to him later said he felt deeply uncomfortable with the remark.
Leaders from the Muslim community have strongly criticised Brij Bhushan’s comment, calling it a deliberate attempt to Hinduise Muslims by assigning them castes from Hindu society.
Maulana Rashid Ahmad, a senior cleric from Faizabad, said: “This is not the first time such comments have been made. Calling a Muslim a Kshatriya is not a compliment — it is an erasure of our identity. We are Muslims, not part of the Hindu caste system. This is disrespectful.”
Dr Rubina Khan, a political science professor at Lucknow University, echoed the same sentiment: “It’s a classic example of cultural domination. By calling a Muslim leader a Kshatriya, Brij Bhushan is trying to bring Muslims under Hindu caste politics. This is dangerous and divisive.”
When reached for comment, Mohammad Mustakim declined to make a detailed statement but told reporters briefly, “I respect everyone. I don’t want to create any issues.”
However, a close associate of Mustakim, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “He was surprised and not happy. But he did not want to create a scene at the event. He is under political pressure and knows the power Brij Bhushan still holds in the region.”
This is not the first time Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a six-time MP from Kaiserganj, has made such comments. During the last Lok Sabha elections, he publicly declared: “All our Muslim brothers in Gonda are Kshatriyas.”
Such statements are seen by many as part of the BJP’s larger ideological project to weaken the distinct Islamic identity of Indian Muslims by merging them into Hindu caste categories.
Advocate Shahnawaz Alam, a human rights lawyer from Allahabad, noted: “This is not an isolated comment. This is part of a wider campaign to claim that Muslims are just Hindus who converted — and that they should therefore be identified through Hindu caste lines. It’s not only wrong but also insulting.”
Shortly after videos of the event surfaced on social media, many users condemned the comment. Hashtags like #MuslimIdentityNotForSale and #BrijBhushanInsultsMuslims began trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Razia Naaz, a student from AMU, posted: “Calling a Muslim a Kshatriya is not praise. It is ignorance mixed with arrogance. We are proud of our Islamic identity.”
Others demanded an apology and called on political parties to take action.
Saba Anjum, an activist from Delhi, said: “Why is there no action against Brij Bhushan? Why is the BJP silent? This is an insult to 200 million Indian Muslims.”
Historians say such remarks are not just inaccurate, but also politically motivated. Muslims in India come from various backgrounds — some were converts from different castes, others arrived from outside the subcontinent. But Islam does not recognise caste, and the idea of calling a Muslim a “Kshatriya” is religiously and historically incorrect.
Dr. Iqbal Husain, a historian from Jamia Millia Islamia, explained: “To call a Muslim a Kshatriya is like saying water is dry. Islam rejects caste. This idea of giving Muslims a Hindu caste is a political strategy to control them and deny their religious freedom.”
So far, the BJP has not issued any statement about Brij Bhushan’s remarks. Critics say the party is deliberately silent because such statements serve their ideological goals.
Firoz Khan, a Samajwadi Party spokesperson, said: “This is part of the BJP’s playbook — insult Muslims, question their loyalty, and then try to pull them into their system. We strongly oppose this.”
Even within the BJP, some members are uncomfortable with Brij Bhushan’s loose talk. A senior BJP leader from eastern UP, speaking off record, said: “He says whatever he wants. But sometimes his words do more damage than good.”
Brij Bhushan Singh has long been a controversial figure in Indian politics. Born in 1957 in Gonda, he has been elected to the Lok Sabha six times. He also served as the President of the Wrestling Federation of India until a string of sexual harassment allegations and investigations forced him to step down.
Although he has been cleared in some cases, the cloud over his reputation remains. His wealth, control over schools and colleges, and strongman image have kept him relevant in UP politics. His son, Karan Bhushan Singh, is now an MP, continuing the family’s political legacy.
Still, many see Brij Bhushan’s popularity as a result of fear and caste-based power, not respect.
Aslam Saifi, a local farmer from Gonda, said: “People follow him because they are scared or because of caste loyalties. But he does not speak for Muslims. He should stop pretending we are part of his caste story.”
The bigger question is whether these statements will hurt the BJP or help it politically. In recent years, the BJP has tried to woo Pasmanda Muslims — Muslims from so-called backward castes — by offering them a share in schemes and political representation.
But trying to integrate Muslims into the Hindu caste labels may backfire.
Nusrat Ali, a senior journalist, remarked: “You can’t respect Muslims by changing their identity. What Brij Bhushan said may impress some, but most Muslims see it as disrespectful. It’s not about caste, it’s about dignity.”
Muslims in India have always lived with dignity, contributing to the nation’s culture, freedom struggle, economy, and growth. Trying to re-categorise them under Hindu caste terms not only denies this contribution but also questions their right to religious self-respect.
Khalid Rahman, an Islamic scholar from Hyderabad, put it clearly: “Islam doesn’t divide people by caste. The only identity a Muslim needs is that he or she is Muslim. That’s it. Everything else is an insult to Islam and our Prophet’s teachings.”
At a time when India is struggling with unemployment, inflation, and social unrest, leaders like Brij Bhushan should focus on development, not on making divisive statements about identity.
The attempt to label Muslims with Hindu castes shows not only a lack of understanding of Islam but also a deep political agenda. It is not about unity, but about control.
The Muslim community in India — proud, resilient, and peaceful — has the right to its own religious and social identity. It does not need validation from anyone, especially not from those who have historically ignored their rights and now want to rewrite their place in society.
