Issuing fatwa destroys social harmony in a nation: Piyush Goyal to Network18

Goyal condemned what he termed as the politics of fatwa and appeasement.

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate for Mumbai North, Piyush Goyal, in an exclusive interview with Network 18 Group, expressed his disdain over remarks made about Hemant Karkare, the late anti-terrorism squad (ATS) chief who sacrificed his life during the 26/11 attacks.

Goyal condemned what he termed as the politics of fatwa and appeasement. He highlighted that the Jamiat Ulema issued a fatwa urging Muslims to vote for the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawar's party. In response, Raj Thackeray, aligned with the BJP, stated that he too issued a "fatwa" urging all Hindus to vote for the BJP, Shinde Sena, and Ajit Pawar.

"Fatwa is issued by religious gurus on the basis of religion. We condemn the fatwa strongly. By issuing such a fatwa, social harmony is destroyed. Raj Thackeray ji is a political leader… Political leaders appeal, put forth their views and seek people’s support and blessings. He used this word in anger", said the minister.

He further noted, "No maulvi or any religious guru has the right to issue such a fatwa. I believe that religion and politics should not be mixed. This country is secular. In a secular country, we all should follow our religion. In the political arena, we should fight elections on political and concrete issues".

Goyal also strongly criticised a statement made by a Congress leader alleging that Hemant Karkare was killed by a policeman sympathetic to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), rather than by terrorist Ajmal Kasab. He expressed his dismay, stating that such remarks are shameful and that the Congress, along with Uddhav Thackeray and the MVA coalition, should refrain from undermining the morale of the armed forces and diminishing their sacrifices.

Goyal also mentioned previous instances where the Congress allegedly belittled the armed forces, citing examples such as the Batla House incident and their treatment of army personnel in Kashmir. He highlighted the positive changes in Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370.

"It is a matter of shame. The Congress can at least spare the army. The Congress, Uddhav Thackeray ji, this MVA or so-called MahaVikas Aghadi (MVA), all of them should at least not break the morale of our armed forces, should at least not belittle their sacrifices. They did the same thing in Batla House. In Kashmir, too, they repeatedly humiliated our army personnel in a way", the minister slammed the Opposition.

Regarding Muslim support for Uddhav Thackeray, Goyal remarked, "Yes, nowadays, Uddhav Thackeray is running behind the Muslim vote bank…That’s why I said that Balasaheb must be feeling very sad seeing the behaviour of his son today.....It is unfortunate that his own son has left the principles. I believe that our policy, the policy of our Mahayuti is such that we invite Muslims too. I am seeing in my area that our Muslim brothers are supporting us in large numbers. They are with the prime minister, who believes in ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’.”