The Hindu Raksha Dal organization announced plans to visit Darul Uloom in Deoband on Tuesday. The purpose of the visit is to bring Ganges water to this famous Islamic seminary.
Representatives of the organization claim that a Shiva Linga is located under the seminary building, according to PTI.
The situation has intensified following Maulana Sajid Rashidi's controversial comments regarding the Kawad pilgrims. Nandkashor Gurja, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), arrived at the Harajatkhand police station in Ghaziabad and filed a written complaint to initiate criminal proceedings against Maulana Sajid Rashidi.
During a special interview with 'Aaj Tak', the BJP MP expressed strong disagreement with Maulana Sajid Rashidi and his statements, making several sharp and contentious remarks. In conversation with 'Aaj Tak', Nandkashor Gurja stated that the Kawad pilgrimage is an extremely sacred tradition that dates back to the Muslim period and the British rule era. He emphasized that Kawad pilgrims walk miles carrying a Kawad weighing 150–150 kilograms barefoot, which causes blisters on their feet.
He asserted that calling such devotees terrorists is a direct insult to Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma). The MP accused Maulana Sajid Rashidi of deliberately attempting to provoke the Kawad pilgrims to escalate the situation and incite unrest.
MP Nandkashor Gurja reported that he submitted a written complaint to the police. He demands strict action against Maulana Sajid Rashidi under the National Security Act (NSA), a hearing in an accelerated court for this case, and the sentencing of the accused to death.
Nandkashor Gurja also criticized the Socialist Party (SP). He noted that Maulana Rashidi had previously made offensive remarks about SP MP Dimple Yadav, but the SP leaders and Aklesh Yadav had not filed a criminal complaint. In the MP's opinion, this indecisiveness of the SP leaders contributed to the Maulana's audacity.
During the discussion, the BJP MP made extremely harsh and controversial comments regarding the 'Hajj pilgrimage' and religious rituals, sparking active discussions in political and social circles. He also stated that the strictest measures under the law are necessary for those who insult Sanatana Dharma within India.
