'Muslims coined term Bharat Mata Ki Jai': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

KOZHIKODE: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said Sangh Parivar, which is insisting that citizenship should be denied to people with Muslim names and also trying to erase cultural history of the country, should realize that it was Azimullah Khan, a Muslim, who coined the slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.
Inaugurating the anti-CAA rally organised by CPM at Malappuram, Vijayan said Sangh Parivar was not only trying to turn Muslims into second-class citizens but was also viewing them as a section that should be ousted from the country.
"We have seen some Sangh Parivar leaders coming and asking people sitting in front of them to chant the slogan Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Has the slogan been coined by any person affiliated to Sangh Parivar? The name of the person who coined it is Azimullah Khan, who was the prime minister to Maratha Peshwa Nana Saheb in the 19th century. I don't know if they would decide tomorrow not to chant the slogan as it was coined by a Muslim," he said.
Vijayan said the slogan "Jai Hind" was also the contribution of a Muslim, former diplomat Abid Hasan Safrani. "Sangh Parivar activists who yell that Muslims should be sent to Pakistan or should leave the country should realize this history," he said, adding that the most popular patriotic song in the country - "Sare Jahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara" - was sung by Muhammed Iqbal.
"Muslim rulers, cultural activists and officials have played a big role in illuminating the country's history and culture. Muslims along with other sections have played a big role in securing the country's independence," he said.
Vijayan also targeted Congress for its silence during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the country when it was passed in 2019. It has not been able to proclaim its stand on the CAA at the national level even after rules were notified for implementing it, he alleged.
He said state govt would be in the forefront in resisting the Sangh Parivar agenda and laws like the CAA, which violate the principles of Constitution. The Sangh Parivar moves were part of attempts to implement the highly communal agenda of RSS, which turns 100 in 2025, he alleged.
LDF candidates in Wayanad, Malappuram and Ponnani constituencies were present at the event, besides leaders of various Muslim organisations, writers and cultural activists.