Demand to ban Muslims from Kumbh Mela sparks backlash and highlights rising communal tensions
Team Clarion
JAISALMER – Sadhvi Prachi, a controversial figure with a history of provocative statements, has once again attracted national attention. This time, she has called for a ban on Muslim participation in the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. Her latest remarks have reignited debates surrounding religious intolerance, political manipulation, and the growing divide between communities in India.
Speaking to journalists here on Monday, Prachi claimed that Muslims, if allowed entry to the Kumbh Mela, could engage in “spit jihad and urine jihad” that would “corrupt” Hindu religious practices. She further alleged that Muslim participation in the sacred event would disturb the penance of saints and harm the sanctity of the Ganges, invoking divisive rhetoric that paints Muslims as a threat to Hinduism. “Saints come to the Kumbh Mela to perform penance, but Muslims may use this holy occasion to destroy our sacred traditions,” Prachi remarked, demanding a ban on their entry.
Her inflammatory words were not limited to the Kumbh Mela alone. Prachi also stirred controversy by defending notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, calling him an “innocent child” in a context that appeared to indirectly criticise Bollywood actor Salman Khan. This statement only added to her controversial reputation, particularly following her earlier remarks that have sparked communal tensions.
Sadhvi Prachi is infamous for making inflammatory remarks. Known for her association with right-wing Hindu groups, she gained attention during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, where her participation in the Jat Mahapanchayat and subsequent remarks were linked to the deadly violence between communities. Prachi’s speech at the Mahapanchayat, which preceded the clashes, was seen as a call for action against the Muslim community, resulting in a case being filed against her for instigating violence.
Her statements in 2015, where she urged Hindu women to have at least four children, were also met with widespread criticism. Despite her inflammatory rhetoric, Prachi has remained a figurehead of hardline Hindu ideology, receiving support from some quarters while continuing to alienate others.
Sadhvi Prachi’s latest statements come at a time when religious polarisation in the country seems to be at an all-time high. Her call to exclude Muslims from a religious event like the Kumbh Mela is being seen by many as an attempt to deepen the divide between the Hindu majority and the Muslim minority. Such remarks can fuel hatred, increase discrimination, and damage the social fabric that has held together India’s pluralistic society for centuries.
Several Muslim leaders, politicians, and human rights activists have condemned Prachi’s comments as hate speech. “This is an outright attack on the Muslim community,” said Asaduddin Owaisi, Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad. “By suggesting that Muslims should be banned from sacred Hindu events, she is not only undermining religious freedom but also encouraging further marginalisation of a community that has been an integral part of India for centuries,” he said.
Prominent academics and social commentators have also weighed in on the issue. Dr Shama Kazi, a professor of religious studies, noted, “Such statements only further the divisiveness in Indian society. They seek to create an ‘us vs them’ narrative, which does nothing but harm the unity of this great nation. The Kumbh Mela is a symbol of India’s spiritual diversity, and to make it exclusive to any one group is a blatant rejection of that diversity.”
The Muslim community, already grappling with rising communal tensions, has expressed its disappointment and fear over such statements. Many are concerned that Prachi’s remarks could embolden fringe elements to act against Muslim citizens, furthering an atmosphere of distrust and fear.
“We are not the enemies of Hinduism,” said Mohammad Alam, a Muslim community leader from Uttar Pradesh. “We have lived together peacefully for centuries, respecting each other’s traditions. Statements like this seek to divide us, to create an atmosphere of hostility where there was once harmony.”
Parents and students have also voiced concerns about the effects such rhetoric can have on the younger generation. Sara Begum, a Muslim mother of two children, lamented, “My children are growing up in a society where hate is being taught as a virtue. I fear that they will face discrimination simply for practicing their faith, just as their ancestors have done for generations in this land.”
As the controversy continues to unfold, the question arises: What role should the Indian government play in curbing hate speech and ensuring the protection of all communities, especially minorities? Critics of Prachi’s remarks have called for stricter laws to punish those who spread hatred and promote religious exclusivity.
“The government must take action,” said Prakash Singh, a political analyst. “If individuals like Sadhvi Prachi are allowed to freely spew hate without consequence, it sends a dangerous message to the rest of society. There must be accountability for those who sow division, especially when their words endanger the peace of this country.”
India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens, and many argue that Sadhvi Prachi’s call for the exclusion of Muslims from the Kumbh Mela is a direct violation of this fundamental right. The country’s strength lies in its diversity, and the ability of its citizens to coexist peacefully, respecting each other’s faiths and traditions.
However, recent trends suggest that this coexistence is under increasing strain, with rising religious intolerance and calls for the marginalisation of minority groups. Events like the Kumbh Mela, traditionally seen as a gathering that celebrates spirituality in all its forms, should be a place for unity, not division.
Sadhvi Prachi’s words are part of a worrying pattern that could destabilise this unity, forcing communities to see each other as adversaries rather than allies in the common cause of nation-building. Her remarks have also raised serious questions about the role of public figures in shaping public opinion and whether their inflammatory speech should be curtailed to preserve social harmony.
In the face of growing religious intolerance and communal divides, India’s secular ideals are being tested more than ever before. Sadhvi Prachi’s comments about banning Muslims from the Kumbh Mela are just one of many instances where religious freedom is being challenged. For India to remain the democratic, pluralistic society that it has long aspired to be, the government and its people must take a firm stand against hate speech and religious exclusivity. Only through mutual respect, understanding, and dialogue can India navigate the challenges posed by communal tensions and maintain the unity that has defined it for centuries.
