Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Yogi Adityanath Rebukes Hamid Ansari Over Hindu Nationalism Remarks
Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari spoke about worries involving Hindu right-wing communalism in India.
He quoted a statement attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru about the danger of this kind of communalism.
Ansari also warned that cultural nationalism might replace civic nationalism.
He said this could cause people to be judged by their religion and could increase intolerance.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly disagreed with Ansari.
Adityanath said the comments insulted Hindu traditions and could hurt India’s image.
He also said people should respect women, older people, and people with disabilities.
The two leaders therefore presented sharply different views about nationalism, culture, and the country’s public life.
Yogi Adityanath accused former vice-president Hamid Ansari of tarnishing India’s image through remarks on Hindu right-wing communalism.
Ansari cited a statement attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru that Hindu right-wing communalism posed a greater danger to India than communism.
Ansari warned that cultural nationalism could replace civic nationalism, distinguish citizens by faith, and promote intolerance and insecurity.
Adityanath called Ansari’s comments unfortunate and disparaging toward India’s Sanatan tradition and Hindu culture.
Adityanath also criticised conduct attributed to Rahul Gandhi at a Saturday event, calling it an insult to women and contrary to Indian social customs.
- Who
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari; Adityanath also criticised conduct attributed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
- What
- Adityanath criticised Ansari’s remarks on Hindu right-wing communalism, cultural nationalism, and India’s traditions.
- When
- Ansari spoke on Saturday, and Adityanath responded on Sunday; one report dates the event to September 20.
- Where
- Ansari spoke in New Delhi, while Adityanath addressed the Prerna Vimarsh event in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The reports differ on whether the event was associated with Gautam Buddha University or the India Islamic Cultural Centre.
- Why
- Ansari raised concerns about communalism, cultural nationalism, intolerance, and the rule of law; Adityanath said the remarks disparaged Hindu traditions and tarnished India’s image.
Hamid Ansari’s Concerns
Yogi Adityanath’s Response
Nature of the threat
Hamid Ansari’s Concerns
Ansari said Hindu right-wing communalism posed a serious danger and cited a statement attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru comparing it with communism.
Yogi Adityanath’s Response
Adityanath rejected this framing, saying India’s Hindu and Sanatan traditions should not be portrayed as threats or linked to terrorism.
Nationalism and citizenship
Hamid Ansari’s Concerns
Ansari warned that cultural nationalism could replace civic nationalism, distinguish citizens by faith, and increase intolerance and insecurity.
Yogi Adityanath’s Response
Adityanath emphasised India’s unity, integrity, constitutional respect, Sanatan tradition, and Hindu culture.
Public conduct and social values
Hamid Ansari’s Concerns
Ansari argued that recent trends raised questions about India’s commitment to the rule of law and should be opposed through legal and political means.
Yogi Adityanath’s Response
Adityanath said Indian customs require respect for women, elderly people, and people with disabilities, and criticised conduct he attributed to Rahul Gandhi as insulting to women.
- Speaker criticised
- Hamid Ansari, former vice-president of India
- Critic
- Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh
- Ansari’s cited statement
- He attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru the view that Hindu right-wing communalism posed a greater danger to India than communism.
- Ansari’s concern
- A shift from civic nationalism toward cultural nationalism that could distinguish citizens by faith and promote intolerance.
- Adityanath’s response
- He called Ansari’s remarks unfortunate, disparaging toward Sanatan tradition and Hindu culture, and damaging to India’s image.
- Ansari’s event
- The third A G Noorani Memorial Lecture in New Delhi
- Adityanath’s event
- The Prerna Vimarsh programme in Greater Noida; reports differ on the stated venue or organiser.
