New Delhi,
Discussions are intensifying in Indian politics regarding the election of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister of England. A war of words has started between BJP and opposition leaders.
The election of Indian-origin Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister in England is helping to attack the ruling BJP government with accusations of majoritarianism and separatism in India.
While congratulating Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister, several political party leaders, including the Congress, are commenting on attacking the BJP.
Political leaders have raised the question, ‘Can any minority become the Prime Minister of India?’The uproar started after a tweet by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Sasi Tharoor tweeted yesterday, “We must all agree that the people of England have done something very rare in the world by appointing a person from a minority community to the highest government post.
While Indians celebrate Rishi Sunak’s rise, let us ask an honest question, ‘Can this happen here (in India)?'” he asked. His tweet was followed by tweets from many leaders.
In 2004, when the Congress-led coalition tried to form the government by capturing a majority of the seats, the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi became the prime minister and the BJP protested strongly. It was criticized that Sonia Gandhi, who is born abroad, should not be the Prime Minister of India.
BJP’s foreign affairs chief Vijay Southaiwale said, “There is no difference between an English-born Rishi of Indian origin and an Italian-born Sonia (Sonia refused Indian citizenship for years after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi).”
Jammu and Kashmir PDP president Meghbooba Mufti said on social media, “It is a proud moment to be sworn in as the first Indian-origin Prime Minister in the UK. The whole of India is truly something to celebrate.”
It is worth recalling that the United Kingdom (England) accepted a person from a minority race as the Prime Minister. On the other hand, we are bound by divisive and discriminatory laws like NRC and CAA,” he posted.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has responded to this tweet of Meghbooba Mufti. Meghbooba asked Mufti whether he would accept any minority as chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “After Rishi Sunak was elected Prime Minister of England, I saw Meghabooba Mufti’s tweet about the rights of minorities in India. Will you (Meghabooba Mufti) accept minorities in Jammu and Kashmir as Chief Minister? Give me a clear answer.
After the election of Rishi Chung as Prime Minister of Britain, some leaders took a strong stance against majoritarianism. I would like to remind him that Abdul Kalam was the President and Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister for 10 years. Apart from this, Draupathi Murmu, the great leader of the tribe, is currently our President.
Rishi Sunak, an able leader of Indian origin, becomes Prime Minister of Britain. We should all applaud him for this extraordinary achievement. It is sad that some Indian politicians are unfortunately using this opportunity to point for political purposes,” he posted.
BJP’s IT chief Amit Malaviya said, “India has had three Muslims and one Sikh president. India has had a Sikh prime minister for 10 years and a minority in the higher judiciary and armed forces. India does not need to learn about diversity and inclusion from any other country. Megabooba to back a Hindu for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister. Wanted,” he posted.
Regarding Rishi Sunak’s election as Prime Minister, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram posted on Twitter:- “First Kamala Harris, now Rishi Sunak… People of America and UK have embraced non-majority citizens of their countries and elected them to high posts in government.
In this case, there is a lesson for India and the ‘majoritarian parties’ to learn from this,” he posted.