The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned recent remarks made by former Vice President Hamid Ansari regarding Mahmud of Ghazni, a medieval ruler known for his raids on the Indian subcontinent. Ansari's statement that Ghazni was "Indian" has sparked controversy, with the BJP accusing him and the Congress party of attempting to whitewash the historical atrocities committed during Ghazni's invasions.
BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan has been particularly vocal in his criticism. Kesavan questioned whether the Congress leadership and Rahul Gandhi shared Ansari's perspective on Ghazni, especially considering the destruction of Hindu temples and the murder of thousands of people during his raids. He argued that Ansari's comments represent an attempt to downplay the brutality of Ghazni's actions, which systematically targeted sacred Hindu sites starting in the 8th century. Kesavan shared a video of Ansari making the comment on X.
Shehzad Poonawalla, another BJP spokesperson, also shared an interview clip of Ansari, where Ansari mentioned the Lodis in addition to Mahmud of Ghazni. Poonawalla accused the "Congress ecosystem" of eulogizing those who committed atrocities against Hindus and asserted that Ansari's remarks are not isolated but exemplify how the Congress party allegedly supports figures who have been historically antagonistic towards Hindus. He specifically referenced Ghazni's invasion of the Somnath Temple in 1026, highlighting the BJP's view that the Congress party is attempting to rewrite history by defending those who perpetrated violence against Hindus.
The BJP's reaction reflects a broader concern about what it perceives as a pattern of historical revisionism by the Congress party. The party views the portrayal of Mahmud of Ghazni as anything other than a foreign invader as a distortion of historical facts and an insult to the victims of his campaigns. The BJP has called on the Congress party to clarify its stance on Ansari's remarks and to condemn any attempts to minimize the impact of historical figures like Mahmud of Ghazni.
Ansari's comments and the BJP's response have ignited a debate about the interpretation of history and the legacy of historical figures in India. The controversy also touches on the broader political narrative surrounding the Congress party and its relationship with different communities and historical events. The BJP's strong reaction indicates the sensitivity surrounding historical narratives and the importance of these issues in contemporary Indian politics.
