'Not the first time ...': Salman Khurshid's 'Bangladesh-like' unrest in India remark draws BJP's ire

Khurshid expressed concern that underlying issues could lead to significant protests in India.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid warned on Tuesday that India could face unrest similar to the recent violent anti-government protests in Bangladesh, despite an appearance of normalcy.

Speaking at the launch of academician Mujibur Rehman's book Shikwa-e-Hind: The Political Future of Indian Muslims, Khurshid expressed concern that underlying issues could lead to significant protests in India, likening the potential situation to the turmoil seen in Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign amid widespread protests.

"Everything may look normal in Kashmir. Everything may look normal here. We may be celebrating the victory, although of course some people believe that that victory or that success of 2024 was perhaps only marginal, perhaps a lot more needs to be done," said the former Union Minister.

Khurshid also commented on the Shaheen Bagh protests, suggesting that while some view them as successful, the ongoing struggles of the protestors, many of whom remain in prison, indicate a failure to address underlying issues. He questioned whether such protests could occur again, given the severe consequences faced by those involved.

"You mind if I said that Shaheen Bagh failed? A lot of us believe that Shaheen Bagh succeeded. But I know what's happening to the people who are associated with Shaheen Bagh. How many of them are still in prison? How many of them can't get bail? How many of them are being told that they are enemies of this country?" he noted.

Khurshid soon came under the fire of BJP spokespersons Shehzad Poonawalla and Sambit Patra, who criticised the former Union Minister for allegedly inciting violence and undermining democratic institutions. Poonawalla accused the Congress of seeking unrest in India, while Patra linked Khurshid’s comments to Rahul Gandhi’s previous remarks about India’s potential for conflict, accusing the Congress of attempting to "spread anarchy" and damage India's reputation.

Taking to microblogging site X, Poonawalla wrote, "In their hatred for Modi they hate Bharat...Salman Khursheed / Congress draws parallel & incites / prays for violence of Bangladesh to take place in Bharat?...Does he want Hindus to be attacked in Bharat? Who is he signalling to?..His family already said Vote Jihad once..now actual violence?..Is this not undermining of Bharat’s democratic institutions? Not the first time they put Rajniti above Rashtra niti....Will Congress act on him?"

In their hatred for Modi they hate Bharat

Salman Khursheed / Congress draws parallel & incites / prays for violence of Bangladesh to take place in Bharat?
Does he want Hindus to be attacked in Bharat? Who is he signalling to?

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His family already said Vote Jihad once..now… pic.twitter.com/jBLEb4pT7X

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) August 7, 2024

Drawing a parallel with Rahul Gandhi's "India on fire" comment, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed the Congress, questioning its motives. He recalled Gandhi's previous remarks in Parliament predicting widespread riots and attacks and accused Gandhi of undermining India while abroad by allegedly speaking against the country in secret meetings.