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The BJP lashed out at Ansari’s remarks, alleging that they expose the Congress party’s “Muslim League, Maoist” character.
Hamid Ansari’s Nehru Remark On Hindu Right-Wing Communalism Sparks Row (Photo: File Photo)
Hindu Sena has formally submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding the immediate revocation of the Padma Shri award conferred upon former Vice President Hamid Ansari over his “Hindu right-wing communalism” remark.
Hindu Sena National President Vishnu Gupta raised serious concerns regarding Ansari’s past conduct and recent public statements, asserting that continuing to honor him disrespects the sanctity of national awards.
Hindu Sena raised concerns regarding national security and intelligence interests and said Ansari’s statements defame India on international platforms and damage social harmony.
Hindu Sena emphasized that prestigious awards like the Padma Shri are meant for individuals who demonstrate unwavering dedication to the nation, and should not remain with those facing serious allegations of anti-national activities.
Speaking on the matter, Vishnu Gupta, National President of Hindu Sena, stated:
“The highest constitutional offices demand absolute allegiance to the nation’s integrity and cultural heritage. Given the grave allegations of compromising national security and the repeated targeting of the Hindu community, Hamid Ansari has forfeited the moral right to hold one of India’s highest civilian honors. We urge the Union Home Ministry to immediately revoke his Padma Shri and order a high-level inquiry into these matters.”
What Hamid Ansari Said?
Hamid Ansari has triggered a political controversy after citing a reported remark by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that the “real danger to India” was not communism but “Hindu right-wing communalism”.
Speaking at an event commemorating late constitutional expert and author A G Noorani at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on Saturday, Ansari referred to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s view that “the real danger to India was not communism, but Hindu right-wing communalism” — cited in Noorani’s 2019 book ‘The RSS: A Menace to India’.
During his speech, Ansari also spoke about Noorani’s writings and his views on nationalism, identity and political developments in India. He further referred to Noorani’s criticism of what he described as a shift from civic nationalism towards cultural nationalism.
“In recent years, we have experienced the emergence of trends and practices that dispute the well-established principle of civic nationalism and interpose a new and imaginary practice of cultural nationalism,” Ansari said.
“It seeks to present an electoral majority in the guise of a religious majority and monopolise political power. It wants to distinguish citizens based on their faith, give vent to intolerance, insinuate otherness, and promote disquiet and insecurity,” he added.
Ansari further added, “Some of its recent manifestations are chilling and reflect poorly on our claim to be governed by the rule of law. It’s a question that has to be answered. These trends need to be contested and contested legally and contested politically.”
BJP Hits Back
The BJP lashed out at Ansari’s remarks, alleging that they expose the Congress party’s “Muslim League, Maoist” character.
Trivedi said Ansari’s remarks have “thoroughly exposed that Congress has become Muslim League Maoist Congress in totality”. He said the former vice president’s comment also suggests that Nehru considered communism a threat, while the Congress has now moved towards the “ultra-left”.
“Today, the Congress has gone ultra-left. It has taken a dive into communism, which Nehru considered a threat,” he said.
Trivedi said the Congress today is making the “same mistake it made 100 years ago”.
He further said Congress leaders should think before citing Nehru, claiming they may not have read what the former prime minister had written in his books.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Ansari’s statements were truly frightening, statements against India, Indian culture, and Indian tradition.
“Mr Hamid Ansari, who has completed his five-year tenure as Vice President of India, made a statement yesterday. It was a very unfortunate statement…His statements were truly frightening, statements against India, Indian culture, and Indian tradition, and these statements are part of an agenda of some efforts to tarnish India’s image globally, which is constantly being propagated by anti-India forces. He made statements purely criticising India’s eternal tradition, insulting India’s Hindu tradition, and there were some attempts to link it with terrorism,” he said.
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Ask News18The Hindu Sena submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding the immediate revocation of former Vice President Hamid Ansari’s Padma Shri award following his controversial remarks regarding “Hindu right-wing communalism.”
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September 21, 2026, 18:19 IST
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