Hindu seers oppose Ulema appeal, endorse 'ek hai...' call

NEW DELHI: The National Ulema Council and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Sajjad Nomani, in their bids to sway the political tide, recently urged the Muslim community to rally behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), promising unity and representation.

Their appeals, however, did not go unchallenged.

Several Hindu seers on Monday came out in its opposition, seeing this as a call to division rather than unity.

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hansraj Udasin of Sanatan Mandir reminded his followers of the "ek hain to safe hain" slogan championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He stressed the importance of Hindu unity , suggesting that standing together was not just about political allegiance but about safeguarding their cultural identity. "When we stand as one, we are safe," he declared and urged Hindu voters to remain united and vote for the BJP, which, he suggested, was pertinent to safeguard the Sanatan Tradition.

The political landscape became more charged recently when Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani introduced the concept of " vote Jihad ," threatening a boycott of those who did not vote for the MVA. This statement stirred the pot further, prompting Mahant Durgadas, a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, to voice his disapproval. "Such divisive tactics are an affront to the principles of democracy," he condemned, emphasizing the need for elections to be free and fair without coercion or fear.

The Hindu seers's remarks are in line with several BJP leaders's remarks against the call given by the Muslim clerics. Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis recently dubbed it a "vote jihad" which has been amplified by many of his party colleagues.