A video shows Raghavendra Pratap Singh openly calling for the destruction of Muslims under the guise of protecting Sanatan Dharma
NEW DELHI – A Holi Milan celebration in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has turned into a flashpoint of communal tension after a video emerged showing former BJP MLA Raghavendra Pratap Singh making openly incendiary statements against Muslims. In the footage, Singh refers to Muslims as “demons” and urges attendees to pledge their commitment to eliminating them, claiming that only then will Sanatan Dharma survive.
Singh, a former legislator from Dumariyaganj, drew parallels with Hindu mythology, citing Lord Narasimha’s killing of Hiranya Kashyap to save his devotee Prahlad. “Today, demons are mushrooming everywhere. Today’s demons are Muslims. There is no doubt or hesitation about this,” Singh declares in the viral video.
This is not the first time Raghavendra Pratap Singh has made statements targeting Muslims. Community leaders say he has repeatedly promoted narratives of “love jihad” and has threatened to kidnap Muslim girls. Previously, he warned, “If you kidnap one girl, we will kidnap ten of yours.”
“These are street-level threats, clothed in political language. They may get applause from some supporters, but the consequences are grave,” says political analyst Anwar Ali. “Such statements deepen the divisions in our society and create an environment of fear for Indian Muslims.”
The video has spread widely on social media, prompting strong reactions from the Muslim community. Locals are calling for strict police action, citing a long history of inaction against Singh despite multiple complaints.
Shaan Mohammad, a Dumariyaganj resident, said, “Raghavendra Pratap Singh has the backing of top authorities in the state. Police are afraid to act. Even if a case is filed, nothing will happen. This leaves ordinary Muslims vulnerable and scared.”
Legal experts and human rights activists have highlighted the dangers of such rhetoric. “Open calls for violence against a specific community are illegal and threaten the very fabric of India’s secular democracy,” said Farida Khan, a human rights lawyer. “The authorities must act swiftly to prevent escalation.”
Muslims in Siddharthnagar have expressed fear over their safety and are seeking reassurance from both the state government and law enforcement agencies. Local mosques and community centres are urging people to remain calm while demanding immediate protection and investigation.
The viral video has triggered debates online, with calls for banning Singh from public functions and legal accountability. Social media users from across the country condemned the hate speech, pointing out the repeated failure of authorities to curb such dangerous statements.
Community leaders are urging the central and state governments to intervene. “We cannot allow hatred to spread unchecked,” said Imran Qureshi, a local Muslim activist. “We need action now, before such statements lead to real-world violence.”
Civil society experts have warned that inflammatory statements like Singh’s could severely damage communal harmony and trust. They called for swift prosecution and an uncompromising stance against hate speech targeting minorities.
