Suspend BJP's Bhopal MP from Lok Sabha for recent ‘communal remarks': CPI(M) to President
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) wrote to President Draupadi Murmu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking action against Alok Sharma, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Bhopal, over his allegedly communal remarks.
The letter, written by CPI (M) State secretary Jaswinder Singh, accuses Mr. Sharma of using 'derogatory slurs' against the Muslim community in his recent statements, and demands that his Parliament membership be dissolved and an inquiry be launched against him.
Earlier this month, Mr. Sharma stirred a controversy by claiming that he was compiling a list of gyms employing Muslim trainers in the city, as he accused them of being involved in 'love jihad'.
Claims of 'love jihad'
'There are many gyms in Bhopal and we are also preparing a list where the trainers are allegedly Muslims. There should be women trainers too. We are making a list and will be submitting it to the police. The police will do their work, the law will do its job. In Madhya Pradesh, there is Dr. Mohan Yadav's government and no one has the permission to indulge in love jihad or land jihad. The law will take stringent action against such people,' Mr. Sharma had said, speaking to reporters.
Mr. Sharma has also referred to the Muslim community using derogatory terms such as 'beard-topi' and claimed that the growing Muslim population in Bhopal is a threat to the Hindu community, according to Mr. Singh's letter.
Mr. Sharma's comments had come after Bajrang Dal members had visited gyms across the city looking for trainers from the Muslim community. They even gave a complaint to the local police, claiming that these trainers were indulging in 'love jihad'. The controversy originally erupted following the arrest of an Indore shooting coach, Mohsin Khan, accused of raping and molesting a minor girl.
Violating Constitution
In his letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. Singh claimed that Mr. Sharma's remarks violate Articles 15 and 21 of the Constitution, and disturb social harmony.
Mr. Sharma, however, denied the charges that his remarks were communally charged and said that he only advocated for police verification of gym trainers.
'People come to us with their problems and such cases of men hiding their real identities have come to light in Bhopal, Indore and other cities. What if the person has hidden a criminal record to get the job? Girls have also taken their lives due to these incidents,' he said, speaking to The Hindu.
'I also said that criminals don't belong to any particular community and I stand by my statement. I will also raise the issue in the Lok Sabha soon,' Mr. Sharma added.
Meanwhile, local activist and advocate Deepak Bundele, who helped draft the complaint, said that they are also considering approaching the Supreme Court if no action is taken against Mr. Sharma soon.
Mr. Sharma is a former Mayor of Bhopal and is believed to be a close aide of Union Minister and former State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Haldighati plaques omit key historical facts, spark uproar
1 2 Jaipur: A controversy erupted in Rajasthan over newly installed commemorative plaques at the historic Haldighati battlefield, as the state marked the 450th Haldighati Shaurya Diwas Wednesday. The plaques, installed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at Rakt Talai and the Rajsamand local administration at Haldighati Pass, have come under fire for alleged historical distortions and omissions. Heritage activists and a history professor have alleged several critical inaccuracies in the plaques' content. Most notably, these fail to mention Mirza Raja Man Singh I of Amber, who commanded the Mughal forces during the historic battle fought on June 18, 1576. "It is a matter of shame that the name of Mirza Raja Man Singh I is missing from the plaque at Haldighati. Instead, only Akbar is mentioned, giving the false impression that the battle was fought directly between Pratap and Akbar," said Prof Chandra Shekhar Sharma, Head of the History Department at Meera Girls College, Udaipur. Sharma has authored the book, Rashtra Ratan Maharana Pratap. Local heritage groups, including Johar Smriti Sansthan and Chetak Smarak Samiti, have demanded a correct reference to Akbar's general as "Mirza Raja Man Singh I of Amber." The plaques have also been criticised for allegedly misrepresenting troop movements and battle statistics. According to Prof Sharma, the inscription incorrectly states that the forces under Man Singh I approached from Kumbhalgarh and Gogunda, which were actually Maharana Pratap's strongholds. "In truth, the Mughal forces marched from Ajmer, Mandalgarh and Mohi, and were stationed at Molela," said Sharma, citing Muntakhib al-Tawarikh by Abd al-Qadir Badayuni, Akbar's court historian. Furthermore, the claimed three-hour duration of the battle has been disputed. Contemporary chronicles, including Muntakhib al-Tawarikh by Abd al-Qadir Badayuni, suggest the battle lasted an entire day, said Prof Sharma. The plaques' figures regarding army sizes have also been challenged by historians citing multiple historical sources. The plaque claims the Mughal army had 5,000 soldiers while Maharana Pratap's side included 1,900 cavalry and 1,000 Bhil warriors. Sharma refuted these figures, quoting the writings of noted historian Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha (Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap), who cited at least four varying estimates and emphasised that none matched the figures on the plaque. "It's an irresponsible oversimplification," said Sharma. Ojha was a 19th-century historian at the court of Udaipur royals. Local heritage groups, including Johar Smriti Sansthan (Chittorgarh), Navyuvak Mandal (Haldighati) and Chetak Smarak Samiti (Balecha, Udaipur), have demanded immediate corrections to ensure historical accuracy. "Any act seen against the integrity of Maharana Pratap's legacy or factual history will face strong opposition," said Kan Singh of the Sansthan. Ironically, these controversial plaques were installed to replace previous versions that had been criticised for suggesting a Mughal victory, only to create new historical disputes.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM: Bengal will not observe ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'
1 2 3 Kolkata: Bengal govt will not observe 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' on June 25, CM Mamata Banerjee has said, calling a central directive in this regard a mockery of the Constitution and democracy. The Union ministry of culture has in a letter asked the administration to organise events to be led by the governor or CM to mark 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' on June 25, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency. "The intent is politically motivated. I condemn the term 'murder of Constitution'. Constitution is the very foundation of our democratic system, our rights, everything we stand for. How can they say that Constitution has been murdered? I object to this," the CM said. She added, "You may have your political differences with Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition. You may or may not like him. But there are other political parties. Many of them were not even there during the Emergency. Did you consult them?"Accusing the Centre, instead, of "murdering democracy", Banerjee said, "Every day, democracy is being murdered, fundamental rights are being curtailed, state economies are being bulldozed. You are forcefully imposing your fabricated religious ideologies on people and pursuing your own toppled elected govts in Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist Says "Throw Away Your Regular Bedsheets Right Now, Here's Why" Miracle Sheets Learn More Undo You even approached the SC seeking President's Rule in Bengal. You should be ashamed." Alleging that all four pillars of democracy were under threat, Banerjee asked, "Which one have you left untouched? Even the Election Commission has become entirely biased." She added that the Centre's letter to the chief secretary mentioning "constitutional morality" was unbecoming. "Who is talking about constitutional morality? Those who do not respect the Constitution?" Taking a swipe at PM Narendra Modi, she said, "The PM is always abroad. Who is the PM, Narendra Modi or Amit Shah? Modiji travels the world while Amit Shah handles everything. If that's the case, why not officially declare Amit Shah as Prime Minister? It appears that he is running the country. You are using governors for political ends. Letters are being drafted and sent from the MHA through them. There is no adherence to any system. You play with people's dignity." Questioning the Centre for choosing a pre-Independence date to celebrate Bengal Foundation Day, the CM said the state assembly had passed a resolution declaring Poila Baisakh as Bangla Diwas. "On June 20, 1947, when India was not yet independent, a law was passed stating that Bengal would remain with India and Bangladesh with Pakistan. Why should we accept that date? India became independent on Aug 15. Shouldn't Bengalis decide Bengal's foundation day? Will you decide everything?" She alleged that Centre was repeatedly stonewalling attempts to rename West Bengal as Bengal. In a reference to the violence at Maheshtala recently, the CM said, "A fruit vendor went home to celebrate a festival. And you planted a holy tulsi plant there. We offer tulsi to Lord Jagannath and Sri Krishna. If you wanted to plant tulsi, why didn't you do so in your own house? I am telling everyone indulging in mean politics that this is injustice and an insult to our gods. People have the right to follow their religion…So many people go to their ancestral homes during Durga Puja. Can we occupy their houses? What are you teaching people?"
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
30 Arrested For Attempting To Spark Communal Violence In Assam's Dhubri
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the recent incident in Dhubri where a cow's head was found in a sensitive area, sparking communal tensions. Five people have also been arrested in similar incidents in Lakhimpur district. Speaking to the media in Guwahati on Wednesday, Chief Minister Sarma said, "In the Dhubri case, there have been many arrests - over 30 people. And yesterday, in Lakhimpur, five arrests were made after three cows' heads were placed in front of a Namghar (Vaishnavite prayer hall). The police will begin further action from today. The matter is serious, but I believe it will be resolved within a day or two." The chief minister also used the opportunity to strongly criticise Rahul Gandhi, linking the incidents to what he described as the Congress leader's "mentality." "Only people of a particular community keep beef in this manner. This is Rahul Gandhi's mentality. If a Hindu wants to keep meat, he will keep pork, not beef. This reflects the poisonous mindset of Rahul Gandhi," Mr Sarma said. The remarks have sparked strong reactions from the opposition, with leaders calling his statements polarising and provocative at a time when communal tensions are already high in Assam. After tensions had flared, the police had issued shoot-at-sight orders in Dhubri last week. At the time, Mr Sarma had said that a Bangladesh-backed organisation, Nobin Bangla, had put up provocative posters, demanding that Dhubri should be part of the country. "These posters indicate that a communal force backed by Bangladesh is active in Dhubri and they are working to destabilise the district," he had said. The chief minister also alleged that a "new beef mafia" had emerged in Dhubri, which procured thousands of animals just before Eid al-Adha.
