Uttar Pradesh minister links Muslim reservation debate with OBC rights, targets opposition parties over appeasement politics
HAMIRPUR — A political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh as state Cabinet Minister and Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad made remarks about Muslims, reservation and religion during a public programme in Hamirpur district on Wednesday.
The minister’s statement, in which he said that “Muslims should return home” and suggested that Muslims could adopt Buddhism if they had an “allergy” to Hinduism, has drawn strong reactions from opposition leaders, Muslim groups and civil society voices.
Speaking during a review meeting with party workers at the district collectorate premises in Hamirpur, Sanjay Nishad attacked the Samajwadi Party’s PDA politics and accused opposition parties of pursuing appeasement in the name of Muslims while ignoring backward communities.
He said, “PDA means looting the rights of backward classes. In West Bengal, 118 Muslim groups were included in the OBC category and given reservation. The high court stopped it. After that, backward communities woke up and removed that government.”
The minister also criticised opposition parties for, in his words, speaking only for Muslims while neglecting backward castes and communities that had suffered historically.
“Opposition leaders raise their voice for Muslims, but why do they not speak for those backward communities that helped the country gain freedom and suffered under British laws?” he said.
During his speech, the minister referred to the reservation policy and claimed that rights given to backward communities had been weakened during previous governments.
He further said, “If the Samajwadi Party continues with this attitude, then just as Didi (Mamata Benerajee) was wiped out in Bengal, the remaining support base of SP will also disappear.”
The strongest reaction came after his comments on religion and Muslims.
“Muslims should return home. If they have allergy to Hinduism, they can adopt Buddhism,” Sanjay Nishad said during the meeting.
His remarks quickly spread on social media and triggered criticism from Muslim organisations and opposition leaders, many of whom accused him of attempting to polarise society.
Leaders from Muslim groups said such comments create fear and alienation among Indian Muslims, who already face growing political hostility and repeated questions over their identity and citizenship in public discourse.
Lucknow-based social activist Mohammad Salman said, “Indian Muslims are citizens of this country and do not need lectures on where they belong. Such statements by ministers weaken social harmony and send a dangerous message.”
Another community leader, Shariq Usmani, said, “Public representatives are expected to speak responsibly. Telling Muslims to ‘return home’ suggests they are outsiders in their own country. This is deeply hurtful.”
Opposition parties also criticised the minister sharply.
A Samajwadi Party spokesperson said the ruling alliance was trying to divert attention from unemployment, inflation and governance failures by using communal statements.
“The Constitution gives equal rights to every citizen regardless of religion. Ministers should focus on development instead of dividing people,” the spokesperson said.
Political observers noted that remarks involving Muslims and reservations have increasingly become part of political campaigning in several states.
The controversy also comes amid continuing debates around OBC reservation and the inclusion of Muslim communities in backward class lists in different states.
Recently, discussions around reservation policies in West Bengal became politically sensitive after court observations on the inclusion of certain groups in OBC categories. BJP leaders and allies have repeatedly used the issue to accuse opposition parties of “appeasement politics”.
During his speech, Sanjay Nishad also referred to the late politician Phoolan Devi and alleged that backward caste demands had historically been ignored.
He said, “When Phoolan Devi demanded a reservation from the Samajwadi Party, she was removed from the party.”
The minister further claimed that reservation rights given to OBC communities would not be reduced under the current government.
“At no cost will there be any reduction in OBC reservation rights,” he said.
However, critics argue that repeated political speeches targeting Muslims while discussing reservations and social justice create unnecessary suspicion against an entire community.
Prof Afaq Ahmad, a political analyst based in Aligarh, said, “There is a growing pattern where Muslims are presented as competitors for rights instead of equal citizens. Such rhetoric may help politically, but it damages trust between communities.”
Human rights campaigners also warned that statements from ministers carry serious social consequences in a sensitive political climate.
Advocate Farah Naqvi said, “When constitutional office holders speak in this language, it normalises exclusion. Democracy requires equal dignity for all citizens, including Muslims.”
Despite the criticism, leaders from the ruling alliance defended the minister and said he was speaking about social justice for backward communities.
A local BJP functionary in Hamirpur said, “The minister only spoke about protecting OBC rights. Opposition parties are twisting his words for political gain.”
The remarks have once again highlighted how Muslim identity and reservation politics continue to remain central issues in north Indian political debates, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where communal and caste equations often shape election campaigns.
For many Indian Muslims, however, the repeated use of their identity in political speeches has created frustration and concern.
Asad Khan, a university student in Kanpur, said, “Muslims are discussed in every election speech, but no one talks about education, jobs or safety for ordinary Muslim families. Political parties use us only as a topic.”
