A Congress leader from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh has demanded that Atiq Ahmed, a former politician and criminal, be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. The demand was made during Ahmed’s son’s election campaign, where the Congress leader also placed the Indian national flag on Ahmed’s grave and saluted it. The demand has been widely criticised by other political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP). The Congress party has suspended the leader who made the demand.
The demand for the Bharat Ratna for Ahmed has raised concerns due to his criminal background. Ahmed, who is currently serving a life sentence for murder, has a long history of criminal activity, including extortion, kidnapping, and rape. He has also been accused of involvement in the massacre of 21 people in 1994. Despite this, he has gained popularity among some sections of the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh.
The demand for Yogi Adityanath’s resignation by the Congress candidate is seen as part of a wider political strategy by the party to gain support in the state. The Congress has been steadily increasing its presence in Uttar Pradesh, which is seen as a key battleground state in national elections. The BJP, which currently holds power in the state, has been accused of ignoring the concerns of the Muslim community, who make up a significant proportion of the state’s population.
The demand for Ahmed to be awarded the Bharat Ratna has been criticised by other political parties, who view it as an attempt by the Congress to pander to the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has accused the Congress of promoting criminal elements in the state, while the SP has suggested that the demand shows a lack of understanding of India’s highest civilian honour.
Ahmed’s family have also spoken out on the issue, with some members praising the Yogi Adityanath government for its efforts to maintain law and order in the state. Zeeshan, Ahmed’s nephew, has stated that Muslims in Uttar Pradesh are safe under the current government.
Despite the controversy surrounding the demand for the Bharat Ratna for Ahmed, it is unlikely that the award will be given to anyone with a criminal background. The Bharat Ratna is usually awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the country in fields such as science, literature, and the arts. Critics have suggested that the demand is simply a political stunt, and that the Congress party is using it to gain support among the Muslim community in Uttar Pradesh.
