BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma sparks controversy over Garba remarks

Rameshwar Sharma, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has sparked political controversy following remarks regarding Muslim men attending Garba events. During a public appearance, Sharma questioned why Muslim men attend these festivities alone, suggesting they should bring their sisters and daughters instead. He further stated that if Muslims wished to join the community permanently, they could do so by chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and applying a tilak.

Sharma also issued a warning against ‘Love Jihad,’ stating that local youth are prepared to retaliate if Garba events are used for such purposes. These comments have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including members of the Congress party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). AIMIM state president Mohsin Ali Khan described the remarks as divisive, while Maulana Sajid Rashidi, president of the All India Imam Association, challenged the MLA to apply similar logic to religious sites like mosques.

This incident follows previous controversies involving Sharma, including a recent statement regarding a missile launch in Bhopal that led to a public exchange with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.