Gadkari defends BJP ideology, says party not against Muslims amid UAPA, violence criticism

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) ideology is committed to working for all citizens, regardless of caste, religion, or language, and insisted that his party is not opposed to Muslims. Campaigning in Nagpur ahead of the January 15 Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections , Gadkari said the people’s hopes and aspirations would be fulfilled if the BJP‑Shiv Sena alliance secured a full majority, adding that he personally stands as a guarantor for the candidates’ performance.

Addressing three public meetings in the city, Gadkari sought to dispel misconceptions about his party’s stance. “We are not against Muslims but we are against terrorists and Pakistan. Muslims who sacrifice for this country are as dear to us as Hindus. One may visit a mosque, gurudwara, or Buddhist vihar, but our blood is the same - we are all Bharatiya, and we work for all,” he said.

Gadkari highlighted infrastructure projects carried out by him and the Maharashtra government , stressing that the BJP‑Shiv Sena alliance could deliver on the public’s expectations. Speaking at a meeting in North Nagpur, he also refuted claims by some opposition leaders that violence would follow if the BJP came to power .

The campaign comes against a backdrop of controversy over remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , in which he was widely accused of targeting Muslims. At an election rally in Rajasthan , Modi criticised the opposition party and said that if it returned to power it would distribute the nation’s wealth to “ infiltrators ” and families with more children - comments widely understood to refer to Muslims and criticised as fomenting fear and division. Critics including opposition leaders called the remarks hate speech and accused Modi of stoking religious tensions , though Modi later attempted to clarify that he was speaking about poor families more generally and maintained he does not engage in Hindu‑Muslim politics .

Since the BJP came to power at the national level in 2014, India has seen a series of communal tensions and controversies. High‑profile incidents such as the 2022 Jahangirpuri riots in Delhi and the 2023 communal violence in Haryana resulted in injuries, deaths and mass arrests on multiple sides. Following some clashes, authorities conducted demolitions of homes and shops in Muslim‑majority areas, a practice critics have described as “ bulldozer justice .” These actions have been condemned by civil rights groups and legal observers as disproportionate and punitive, particularly against Muslim communities.

The use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has also drawn criticism. Human rights advocates allege that UAPA has increasingly been invoked in cases involving Muslim activists and leaders, resulting in prolonged detentions without bail and lengthy judicial processes that disproportionately affect minority communities.

Gadkari defended the BJP’s stance and record, stating that the party works for all citizens irrespective of faith or background. “I am a staunch BJP worker and believe in its principles, but I am an elected representative of all citizens, including those who did not vote for me. I work for everyone, irrespective of caste, religion and language,” he said. He also sought to counter misinformation that the BJP wanted to change the Constitution, asserting that it was the Congress party which had attempted to amend it multiple times in the past.