Critics call the CM’s statement a mockery amid rising attacks on Muslims
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has come under fire for his recent claim that Muslims are safer among Hindus, while Hindus do not feel secure in Muslim-majority areas. His remarks, made in an interview with news agency ANI, have been criticised as misleading and an attempt to shift focus from the growing discrimination and violence faced by Muslims under his government.
Adityanath stated, “Muslims are the safest in Uttar Pradesh. If Hindus are safe, they are also safe.” However, this assertion starkly contrasts with the reality on the ground, where Muslims in the state have been subjected to repeated instances of harassment, mob violence, and house demolitions under his administration.
Over the past few years, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed an alarming rise in targeted actions against Muslims, particularly in the form of bulldozer politics. The government illegally demolishes homes and businesses belonging to Muslims, often under the pretext of law enforcement.
Cases of mob lynchings, arbitrary arrests, and police brutality have also been reported, yet Adityanath’s government has done little to address these issues. Instead, his administration has been seen justifying such actions as a crackdown on “troublemakers,” while critics argue that it is a form of collective punishment against the minority community.
Adityanath’s comments, which draw comparisons with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, appear to be an attempt to deflect from domestic issues. By questioning whether Hindus are safe in Muslim-majority areas, he is reinforcing a divisive narrative that paints Muslims as a threat, despite the fact that in India, it is Muslims who have been at the receiving end of state repression.
“This statement is nothing but a mockery of the lived experiences of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh,” said human rights activist Farah Naqvi. “We have seen houses being bulldozed without due process, people being arrested on baseless charges, and an atmosphere of fear created for Muslims. How can the CM claim that Muslims are safe?”
Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani also criticised the remarks, saying, “When Muslims are being lynched over suspicions of carrying beef, when they are being attacked for offering namaz in public places, when their homes are being destroyed, it is absurd to say they are ‘safest’ in Uttar Pradesh.”
Many see Adityanath’s remarks as an attempt to polarise ahead of upcoming elections. His rhetoric follows a pattern where communal issues are used to consolidate the Hindu vote bank, even at the cost of further marginalising Muslims.
“In reality, it is not Hindus who feel unsafe in Muslim-majority areas, but Muslims who feel unsafe under the rule of this government,” said political analyst Prashant Bhushan. “If the CM truly cares about safety, he should address the hate crimes and discrimination happening in his own backyard instead of pointing fingers at other countries.”
The chief minister’s claims stand in stark contrast to reports of increasing communal violence, discriminatory policies, and suppression of Muslim voices in Uttar Pradesh. His comments not only ignore these realities but also deepen the divide between communities.
While Adityanath seeks to project himself as a leader ensuring peace and security for all, the reality for Muslims in Uttar Pradesh tells a different story — one of persecution, fear, and systemic targeting. Instead of making baseless claims, critics argue, the government should focus on ensuring justice and equal treatment for all citizens.
