Fadnavis Faces Congress Backlash Over 'Jihad' Remarks

The Congress party has called for an apology from Maharashtra Home Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis over his controversial remarks on "vote jihad" and "love jihad." The Opposition accused Fadnavis of undermining the constitutional principle of equality and tarnishing Maharashtra’s legacy, which has been shaped by icons like Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Dr. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Phule.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole criticized Fadnavis, accusing him of using communal rhetoric to divert attention from the government’s failures and alleged corruption. Patole expressed disappointment that, instead of addressing real issues, the Home Minister was promoting divisive language that could foster communal tensions. Patole asserted that the people of Maharashtra would not accept such an attempt to create unrest.

Fadnavis had recently claimed at an event in Kolhapur that "love jihad" is part of a wider conspiracy, referencing over 100,000 complaints of Hindu women being coerced into marriages with men of other faiths. He also raised concerns about "vote jihad," citing the results of the Dhule Lok Sabha constituency, where he claimed that block voting in Malegaon Central had led to the BJP’s defeat, despite the party leading in other constituencies. These statements were met with strong opposition from the Congress, which questioned why, if such incidents are indeed occurring, the Home Minister had not taken legal action. Congress leaders accused Fadnavis of using these claims to stir communal tensions instead of focusing on governance.

Constitutional Violations

Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant further condemned Fadnavis’s remarks, accusing him of violating the Constitution. Sawant argued that every Indian citizen has the right to vote, and Fadnavis’s comments undermined that fundamental right. He called on Fadnavis to reflect on why the BJP has failed to attract Muslim voters, rather than resorting to divisive rhetoric.

Investigation

The Congress party has also demanded an investigation into the rising costs of the Thane-Borivali tunnel road project, which increased from Rs 14,000 crore to Rs 18,000 crore. Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised concerns about a Rs 1,400-crore tender for the Kondhane dam, alleging favoritism toward a specific contractor. Congress leaders stressed the need for transparency in these matters, urging the government to address corruption rather than stoking communal tensions.