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In a press meet in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, BJP minister Usha Thakur claimed that Islamic educational institutions, more commonly known as madrasas, raise terrorists, NDTV reported.
“State support for madrasas should come to an end in the country,” she told reporters. She further went on to say that “religion-based education is spreading hatred among all.”
Her remarks received quick criticism from the Congress, which reminded her that she should not make accusations without evidence. Sajjan Singh Verma, former minister and presently a senior leader in the INC, said that Usha Thakur is a “toy in the hands of the RSS.”
Narendra Saluja, the Congress spokesperson in Madhya Pradesh, advised the Election Commission to take note of Thakur’s statement. In a statement to PTI, he said, “The BJP is trying to divert the bypoll campaign towards a communal agenda and Thakur's statements are part of this strategy.”
This is not the first time that the minister of tourism and culture in Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s government in Madhya Pradesh has stirred controversy by making unwarranted statements on Muslims. On a previous occasion, she had asked for Muslim men to be banned from entering garba venues during Navratri.
(With inputs from PTI and NDTV)
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