Ravi Shankar in soup over 'sanctity' to Muslims remark

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s remark that the BJP gave “proper sanctity” to Muslims even if they did not vote for the party sparked a controversy, with Opposition leaders voicing their protest.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “We gave them sanctity? Who are ‘we’? It is the Constitution that has given rights, our rights are protected under that,” he said.

Owaisi said it is a minister’s duty to ensure justice and equality. “Is the minister (Ravi Shankar Prasad) trying to patronise or threaten us? Yes, we didn’t vote for you and will continue to do so... but it’s your constitutional duty to ensure justice and equality as you have taken oath of the Constitution,” the Hyderabad MP said.

Owaisi said, “the government and parties will come and go but Constitution will remain supreme.”

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan said, it is the government’s responsibility to take care of all citizens irrespective of the faiths they practised. “Ideology and the Constitution are two different things. Those who are stuck to  BJP ideology vote for them, those who are anti-BJP, vote for the Opposition, but it is the government's responsibility to  support each and every individual.”

Congress spokesperson Salman Khurshid said, “We should see who does not vote for us and find why and see if it can be addressed. Don't know from where has ‘sanctity’come.”

Ravi Shankar landed in the row when he was trying to deny that the BJP marginalises Muslims.