Archive · 6 Aug 2026
BJP, RJD slam Maulana Rashidi for 'Kanwariyas terrorists' remark
Some people in India went on a special walking trip called the Kanwar Yatra to show love for Lord Shiva.
Videos started appearing on the internet showing a few of these travelers doing bad things, like drinking alcohol and being unkind to others.
A religious leader named Maulana Sajid Rashidi saw the videos and got very upset.
He said the people doing these bad things are not true devotees of Lord Shiva, and he called them terrorists instead.
Many leaders from two big political groups, the BJP and the RJD, said he should not have said that.
They explained that just because a few people do bad things, it does not mean everyone in the group is bad.
One minister, Ramdas Athawale, said every religion has some people who break rules.
Another leader said calling all Kanwariyas terrorists hurts people's religious feelings.
Everyone agreed that people should respect each other's faith and should not spread hatred.
Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All India Imam Association, said unruly Kanwariyas are 'terrorists', not Shiv Bhakts.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said it is wrong to label the entire Kanwariya community over one or two criminals.
BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal called carrying the Kanwar a matter of deep faith and warned that attacks on faith will not be tolerated.
Bihar Minister Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari said if Rashidi made the statement, perhaps Osama bin Laden is his ideal.
RJD Chief Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said everyone has the right to follow their own faith and condemned the remark.
- Who
- Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All India Imam Association, and BJP and RJD leaders including Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal, and Bihar Ministers Mithilesh Kumar Tiwari and Dilip Jaiswal.
- What
- Political leaders condemned Rashidi for calling unruly Kanwariyas 'terrorists' and warned against labeling an entire community.
- When
- Thursday, during the holy month of Shravan (exact date not specified in the article).
- Where
- New Delhi, in relation to the Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- Why
- Rashidi reacted to viral videos of alleged unruly behavior by Kanwariyas; leaders said his remarks unfairly attacked the faith of all devotees.
Maulana Sajid Rashidi's Critique
BJP and RJD Leaders' Defense
Labeling Kanwariyas as 'terrorists'
Maulana Sajid Rashidi's Critique
Rashidi said those who consume alcohol and intoxicants on roads, assault police, smash a school van's windows, and stop an ambulance are not Shiv Bhakts but terrorists.
BJP and RJD Leaders' Defense
Leaders said there may be one or two criminals, but it is wrong to label all Kanwariyas as terrorists since carrying the Kanwar is a matter of deep faith and devotion.
How to respond to the remarks
Maulana Sajid Rashidi's Critique
Rashidi framed his statement as a response to viral videos of unruly behavior, including alleged attacks on police and civilians.
BJP and RJD Leaders' Defense
Some leaders, including Janardan Singh Sigriwal and Pawan Jaiswal, strongly condemned the remarks as attacks on religious faith, while Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal dismissed them as foolish remarks that do not deserve attention.
- Main figure
- Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President, All India Imam Association
- Controversial remark
- Called unruly Kanwariyas 'terrorists', not Shiv Bhakts
- Trigger
- Viral videos of Kanwariyas allegedly consuming alcohol and creating disturbances
- Key critics
- BJP and RJD leaders, including Union Minister Ramdas Athawale
- Location
- New Delhi; Kanwar Yatra in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
- Timing
- Thursday; holy month of Shravan
- Context
- Governments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar said they worked to ensure Kanwariyas complete their pilgrimage without inconvenience