A political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Kunda MLA and chief of the Jansatta Dal Democratic, Raghuraj Pratap Singh, also known as Raja Bhaiya, made controversial remarks about Muslims, religious conversion, and the Constitution during a religious event in Pratapgarh.
Speaking at a religious gathering in Madurpur village near the Prayagraj border on May 16, Raja Bhaiya claimed that Muslims living in India were originally Hindus and not migrants from Arab countries.
“Today, all Muslims in the country were once Hindus. They did not come here from Arab countries,” Raja Bhaiya said during his speech.
He further alleged that people who converted to Islam in history did so out of fear, pressure, or greed. “Those who lacked courage or came under pressure changed their religion, while brave and sacrificial people remained firm in their Sanatan faith despite hardships,” he said.
Constitution Linked to Hindu Majority
During his address, Raja Bhaiya also linked India’s secular identity and Constitution to the country’s Hindu majority. He claimed that if Sanatan Dharma weakens, the Constitution could also come under threat.
“You often hear people say ‘Jai Samvidhan’. But I want to say that the day India stops being Hindu-majority, the Constitution may not remain the same,” he said.
He added that India remains secular because it is a Hindu-majority country. “If India is secular today, it is because Hindus are in the majority. The diversity of this country is protected by Sanatan culture,” he said.
Raja Bhaiya also appealed for Hindu unity and urged people to rise above caste divisions. “Leave caste differences behind. We are all Hindus and brothers,” he said.
Remarks on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Sanatan Dharma Comments
Referring to earlier remarks by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatan Dharma, Raja Bhaiya questioned why there was not a stronger reaction.
“There are leaders who openly say Sanatan Dharma should be finished and compare it to diseases like dengue and malaria. Imagine the outrage if someone spoke like this about Islam,” he said.
Muslim Cleric Responds
Reacting to Raja Bhaiya’s remarks, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, national president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, rejected the claim that Muslims accepted Islam due to pressure or fear.
“People adopted Islam willingly and by choice. Sufi saints spread Islamic teachings, and people accepted the religion after being influenced by its values,” he said.
The cleric added that Indian Muslims are natives of the country. “Muslims living in India belong here and are Indians. No one was forced to change religion,” he said.
