Local Muslims and national community members strongly condemn the lawmaker, emphasising Bhopal’s deep Muslim heritage and warning against attempts to rewrite history for politics.
BHOPAL — The political atmosphere in the Madhya Pradesh capital has turned tense after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Alok Sharma’s anti-Muslim diatribe claiming that “Bhopal does not belong to Muslims.” He described the city as the heritage of Emperor Ashoka, King Bhoj, and Rani Kamlapati. The statement has ignited widespread anger among local Muslims and communities across India, with many accusing of the BJP leader’s communal politics and his attempt to polarise society.
Residents, scholars, and religious leaders have expressed outrage at Sharma’s words, saying that they were not only factually wrong but also an insult to the city’s Muslim population, which has lived in Bhopal for generations.
“History is witness that Bhopal city was, is, and will remain the city of Muslims,” said Abdul Rahman, a local community elder. “We were born here, we grew up here. No leader from outside should tell us that this city is not ours.”
Several residents pointed out that Alok Sharma himself is an outsider to Bhopal and questioned his right to make such statements. “The MP should first explain which city is truly his own,” said local shopkeeper Iqbal Khan. “He comes from outside and now calls us strangers in our own city.”
The statement also triggered criticism for its timing, coming soon after Supreme Court instructions to refrain from issuing communal statements. Many citizens raised concerns over the apparent lack of action against leaders who make provocative remarks.
“This is clearly an attempt to spread hatred and gain political advantage,” said Maulana Aslam, an imam at one of Bhopal’s prominent mosques. “Every time BJP leaders speak about Muslims, it is to polarise communities and strengthen their political position.”
The statement by Sharma mentioned the historical figures Emperor Ashoka, King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty, and Rani Kamlapati, which he cited as proof that Bhopal’s heritage extends beyond the Muslim community. However, many historians and local scholars reject the attempt to overshadow the city’s long-standing Muslim history.
“Bhopal’s identity is deeply tied to the Muslim rulers and the culture they cultivated over centuries,” said Dr Shabnam Fatima, a historian. “Attempting to reduce it to pre-Islamic heritage ignores the contribution of the Muslim community to the city’s development and character.”
Local Muslims also emphasised the city’s living heritage, from madrasas to mosques, where the tricolour is hoisted and patriotic spirit thrives. “We have safeguarded this city and its culture,” said community activist Farooq Ahmed. “This city is in our soul, and nobody can take it away from us.”
The controversy has sparked debate nationally, with social media users and community leaders questioning the BJP’s approach to minority communities. Many have expressed concern that statements like Sharma’s could incite division in a city that has historically been known for communal harmony.
“Bhopal is a city of coexistence,” said Syeda Nazia, a teacher in the old city area. “Statements like this threaten the peace and unity we have maintained for decades. Leaders must be responsible and respect the communities that call Bhopal home.”
As tensions rise, the Muslim community of Bhopal continues to assert its historical and cultural connection to the city, rejecting claims by politicians who attempt to rewrite or diminish their role in the city’s heritage.
