Muslims and rights groups call for action, saying such speeches damage communal harmony and insult millions of peaceful citizens
NEW DELHI — Muslims have strongly condemned the rabidly communal statement of BJP leader and former Uttar Pradesh legislator Sangeet Som, who claimed that terrorism has a religion, and “every terrorist is a Muslim.”
In a recent speech filled with anti-Muslim rhetoric, Som attempted to blame the entire Muslim community for global terrorism, saying, “Some people say terrorism has no religion, but I say it does. Those caught for terrorism across the world belong to the Muslim religion.”
The remarks were made shortly after a special NIA court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP lawmaker Pragya Singh Thakur, in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. Instead of showing respect for the victims or the judicial process, Som used the opportunity to make sweeping and dangerous statements against Muslims.
Muslim leaders, human rights activists, and legal experts condemned the speech, calling it divisive, hurtful, and a direct attack on the dignity of millions of Muslims in India.
Influential cleric and scholar Maulana Arshad Madani said, “This is not leadership, this is provocation. When leaders openly say every terrorist is a Muslim, they are insulting the sacrifices of Muslims who died for this country.”
He added, “We have seen how politicians target our faith again and again, using it to divide society. But truth stands stronger. Islam is a religion of peace, and we have always stood for justice.”
Shabnam Khan, a social worker from Meerut, said, “Such statements push our children into fear. We are Indians. We contribute in every field, from the army to medicine, from education to social service. Are we terrorists because of our religion?”
She added, “Enough is enough. We are tired of being blamed for things we have nothing to do with.”
Legal expert and activist Faisal Qureshi said, “Sangeet Som’s remarks are not just hate speech, they are dangerous. He is trying to paint an entire religion as violent, and that can lead to real violence on the ground.”
Qureshi also pointed out that Sangeet Som is not new to controversy. “This is the same man who was booked in the Muzaffarnagar riots. He speaks to divide and distract.”
Many opposition leaders have condemned the statement but also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP’s top leadership.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “When a ruling party leader says such things, and no one in the government condemns him, the silence speaks louder than words.”
While referring to the Malegaon bomb blast, where seven Hindus were accused, Som said the Congress used the case to defame Hindus and claimed, “A Hindu can never be a terrorist.”
This statement has hurt many in the Muslim community. They say that instead of respecting the court’s decision and letting the law take its course, Som used the case to further his agenda against Muslims.
Asma Parveen, a teacher in Lucknow, said, “So now even the idea of Hindu terrorism being investigated becomes an insult? Why is it that whenever someone tries to speak against violence, they are told they are insulting Hindus? Our religion is blamed for everything, no matter what we do.”
Young Muslim voices are now rising with concern and courage. Irfan Shaikh, a university student in Aligarh, said, “If we are constantly being told we are terrorists, if our patriotism is always questioned, then we must ask—Is this country only for Hindus? Where do we go then?”
He added, “I am born here. I studied here. I pay taxes. I love my land. But every day I have to prove my loyalty.”
Leaders from the community have also highlighted the deep role Muslims have played in building the country. From freedom fighters like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to scientists like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Muslims have been part of India’s growth.
Dr Syed Rahman, a retired Delhi University professor, said, “These politicians forget our history. They forget our sacrifices. They forget our silence. We are not weak. We are just patient.”
Many citizens, not just Muslims, are demanding that hate speeches be stopped and punished. Senior journalist Vinod Dua said, “This is not just about Muslims. This is about India. You cannot allow leaders to call an entire community terrorists and expect peace in society.”
The National Commission for Minorities has been asked to take suo motu notice of the speech. Civil society groups have also filed a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding that such people not be allowed to contest future elections.
In the end, many are calling not just for justice, but for unity.
As Maulana Arshad Madani said, “We have to speak up, but not with hate. Let us reply to this hatred with truth. Let us show them that we are Muslims, but we are also Indian—and proud of both.”
