“Hindutva is an illness,” remarked Iltija Mufti, a Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party leader and the daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Her statement has sparked controversy, leading to strong criticism from BJP leaders.
Taking to her account on X, Iltija Mufti posted on December 7 in reaction to a video where three minor boys were forced to chant “Jai Shri Ram” and were later beaten by a man: “Ram, the deity, must hang his head in shame and watch helplessly as minor Muslim boys are beaten with chappals simply because they refuse to chant his name. Hindutva is a disease that has afflicted millions of Indians and sullied a God’s name.” BJP leaders have deemed this statement derogatory and have demanded an apology.
Reacting to the criticism of her previous tweet, Iltija Mufti posted again on X to clarify her stance, stated, “Much outrage over my tweet & also whataboutery about Islam. The senseless violence that’s been carried out in the name of Islam is what caused Islamophobia in the first place. Today Hinduism (not Hindutva) also finds itself in a similar situation where it’s being used & abused to lynch & persecute minorities. Let’s call spadea spade.”
