Ansari looking for political shelter: BJP on 'insecurity among Muslims' remark

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya also wondered if Ansari was looking for "political shelter" after retirement.

The BJP on Thursday criticised outgoing Vice President Hamid Ansari for his comment that there was a sense of insecurity among Muslims and said such a "petty" remark was not expected from someone in his position. Several leaders from the BJP expressed displeasure over Hamid's statement and said Ansari was playing 'Muslim Politics' at time of leaving the Vice President's office.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya also wondered if Ansari was looking for "political shelter" after retirement. "I condemn his comments. He has made political comments as he is retiring. He is still a vice president and such comments do not suit his office's dignity. It seems he is making such comments to find political shelter after retirement," Vijayvargiya said.

Nobody expects such "petty comments" from a person holding such a high post, he added.

Similar views were expressed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi. Questioning Ansari over his claim about the 'growing insecurity among Muslims', Lekhi asked what steps did he take under his tenure to address the issue.

"Why didn't he work to address this insecurity rather than making such remarks now? The actual reason behind such statement is his will to indulge in Muslim politics after demitting the Office," Lekhi said, while speaking to ABP News.

Ansari, whose second five-year term as the vice president ends on Thursday, has said in an interview that there is a feeling of unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country, claiming that the "ambiance of acceptance" is now under threat.

Ansari's remarks come against the backdrop of incidents of alleged intolerance and violence by self-proclaimed cow protectors, for which opposition parties have attacked the central government.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)