BJP's Yogi Adityanath has applauded Donald Trump's immigration ban
BJP lawmaker Yogi Adityanath has praised US President Donald Trump's temporary ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries - roundly condemned within the US and worldwide - and said similar action is needed to check terrorism in India. While campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh polls to be held from February 7, the firebrand leader also focused on his party colleague's claims of a Hindu "exodus" from western UP and warned that the region could soon "become another Kashmir".
Addressing a rally in Bulandshahr on Monday, the saffron-robed lawmaker referred to Mr Trump's immigration order temporarily banning entry to the US for citizens of seven countries and refugees from around the world, and said: "Similar action is needed to contain terror activities in this country."
The lawmaker from Gorakhpur also alleged during his speeches that the situation in western Uttar Pradesh is similar to the Kashmir Valley around three decades ago, when "Kashmiri Pandits were terrorized and forced to leave". The situation, he claimed, was especially grim in Muzzafarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut and Ghaziabad. He accused the ruling Samajwadi Party and Mayawati's BSP of allowing it to happen with their policies over the years.
"What happened in Kashmir in 1990...the same is going to happen in UP," the lawmaker said, adding, "BJP is committed not to let this happen anymore. We have lost Kashmir Valley, but we cannot let western Uttar Pradesh to become second Kashmir."
Last year, BJP parliamentarian Hukum Singh alleged that more than 300 Hindu families have left Muslim-dominated Kairana because of threats and attacks after riots in 2013 in the area.
Both the Samajwadi Party and BSP have rubbished the claim, calling it is an attempt to polarise the region for votes. Mr Singh has also not backed his claim with any credible evidence.
Kairana is around 50 km from Muzaffarnagar, where over 60 were killed and thousands displaced in riots in September 2013, months before the national election.
Kairana has also found a place in the BJP's manifesto for UP. "District collectors will be held accountable for migration of people due to communal strife," BJP chief Amit Shah said while releasing the manifesto on the weekend, promising to set up teams that would check such "exodus".