A speech by Maulana Jarjis Ansari at a gathering in Auraiya on October 29 has triggered a political and religious controversy in Uttar Pradesh after he warned that Muslim homes could be set on fire and bulldozers deployed if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath returned to power.
A video of the speech surfaced on social media on November 2, drawing criticism from BJP leaders, opposition parties and several Muslim religious leaders.
Addressing the gathering, Ansari invoked the situation in Palestine and the 2002 Gujarat riots to urge Muslims to overcome their differences and unite politically ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He argued that the community should not allow the BJP to return to power.
The BJP accused the cleric of spreading fear and using religious sentiments for political purposes. The party also alleged that his remarks were intended to benefit the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress. The SP, while distancing itself from the specific remarks, accused the state government of authoritarianism and one-sided action.
What Did Maulana Jarjis Ansari Say?
In his speech, Ansari claimed that Muslims in Uttar Pradesh were living with a sense of insecurity. He warned that if the BJP government returned to power, Muslim homes could be demolished or set on fire.
Invoking Palestine, he urged Muslims to consider the situation there and warned against allowing similar conditions to emerge in Uttar Pradesh. He also referred to the 2002 Gujarat riots, including accounts of violence against Muslim women, to underline his appeal for political unity.
Ansari cited West Bengal as an example of how divisions within the Muslim community could lead to political setbacks. He urged Muslims in Uttar Pradesh to put aside their differences and vote strategically in the 2027 Assembly elections.
BJP Accuses Cleric of Spreading Fear
BJP leaders criticised Ansari’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to create fear among Muslims ahead of the Assembly elections.
The party alleged that references to Palestine and the possibility of bulldozer action were intended to inflame communal sentiments and polarise voters. BJP leaders also sought to link the cleric’s remarks to the opposition, alleging that he was acting in the interests of the SP and Congress.
Samajwadi Party Calls Remarks Personal Opinion
The Samajwadi Party sought to distance itself from Ansari’s statement. Party spokesperson Deepak Ranjan described the remarks as the cleric’s personal opinion and said he did not want to comment on what Ansari had said.
However, Ranjan criticised the Yogi Adityanath government, alleging that it was running an authoritarian administration and taking one-sided action against people.
Muslim Religious Leaders Also Criticise Remarks
Ansari’s comments drew criticism from several Muslim religious leaders, particularly over his comparison between Uttar Pradesh and Palestine.
Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi, chairman of the Shia Chand Committee, accused Ansari of making controversial statements to remain in the public eye. He rejected the suggestion that Muslims in Uttar Pradesh were living in fear and objected to comparing the state’s situation with Palestine.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, also condemned the remarks. He said India was governed by its Constitution and laws and argued that comparing Uttar Pradesh with Palestine was inappropriate. Razvi also called for government action.
Islamic scholar Mohammad Jameel Hayat urged Ansari to exercise restraint, saying such comments could increase tensions in the prevailing political atmosphere.
Mufti Intizab Qadri of Moradabad also questioned the claim that Muslims in Uttar Pradesh were living in fear and objected to comparing their situation with that of Palestinians.
Ayodhya Mahant Demands Action
Mahant Vishnu Das of Ayodhya also criticised Ansari’s speech and accused him of attempting to provoke Muslims by invoking Palestine.
He called for police action against the cleric, alleging that his remarks could disturb communal harmony.
Earlier Controversies
Ansari has faced criticism over some of his earlier religious and political statements.
In July 2026, remarks attributed to him about Hindu deities Lord Ram and Lord Krishna drew criticism. He was also questioned over statements concerning the movement of Muslims to West Bengal.
Why the Gujarat Riots and Palestine References Matter
The 2002 Gujarat riots followed the burning of a coach of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002, in which 59 people were killed. The incident was followed by widespread communal violence across Gujarat, in which Muslims formed the majority of those killed. Human rights organisations documented killings, sexual violence and attacks on women during the violence.
Palestine, meanwhile, remains associated with a prolonged conflict, displacement and the suffering of civilians.
Ansari invoked both events to make his case for Muslim political unity. Several religious leaders, however, objected to the comparison, arguing that the political and constitutional circumstances in India are different.
The controversy comes as Uttar Pradesh moves towards the 2027 Assembly elections. Issues including bulldozer action, law and order, minority security and communal relations are likely to remain part of the political debate.
