Will Shahnawaz, Mukhtar face ‘love jihad’ charge, asks Digvijaya Singh:Ex-CM questions BJP’s hypocrisy in the matter, with several of its leaders wedded to Muslim brides

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has again taken a strong stand against what he calls the discriminatory removal of Muslim employees from shops in Indore’s Sheetla Mata Market. In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Digvijaya said he has given the administration an ultimatum: if an FIR is not registered in the matter by October 5, he will move the court. The veteran Congress leader said the episode is an attack on constitutional rights and on the core values of Sanatan Dharma. He insisted he has always opposed extremism of every kind whether from organisations such as the Bajrang Dal or from groups like SIMI and recounted past experiences of facing opposition from both the RSS and MIM during his political career. Background: how the controversy started Bhaskar: What do you have to say about the dispute that occurred in Indore? Digvijay: The trouble was manufactured later. There was no dispute initially. The real background goes back to 2021, when riots and disturbances were happening repeatedly in places like Ujjain, Mandsaur, Indore, Khargone and Maksi. I repeatedly sought meetings with the DGP, IG, SP and the Collector. They kept saying FIRs had been lodged and investigations were underway, yet no meaningful action took place. Innocent people were being arrested or harassed in one case, a person without hands was accused of throwing stones. That gives you an idea of how chaotic things were. He said he received a complaint that in the Sheetla Mata Temple area the son of a BJP MLA had declared that only Hindu employees should be allowed to work in shops, and that Muslim employees who had rented shops should be evicted. The Indore District Congress Committee submitted a representation to the Police Commissioner on September 15 about the issue, but according to Digvijaya, no FIR had been registered even after that date. When he visited the market later, he found no action had been taken since the committee’s representation. On September 25, people staged a protest there. He decided to go to Sheetla Mata Market, at which point he claims police became active in discouraging local people and warning them against receiving him. He said the police even encouraged protests against him, but insisted he was not afraid of such demonstrations. Police role and local politics Bhaskar: Was there a protest at the behest of the police? Digvijay: I cannot say for sure, but I received a call from the ACP and then spoke to the Police Commissioner. The CP told me they had discussed the matter with our District Congress President and advised that I should not go. I told them that they could not stop me; it is my right to visit. I wanted to speak to the District Congress President myself. Digvijaya said it was the Police Commissioner who advised the District President, and the District President then suggested that he should not visit right away. But Digvijaya stressed that this was an emotional issue for him people’s livelihoods were at stake because of their religion so he could not remain silent. When asked about comments from BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya accusing him of disturbing the peace, Digvijaya sharply pushed back. He said he went to restore peace and asked whether any official order existed that barred Muslims from being given jobs or shops in the market. He reminded public officials of their oath to the Constitution and asked how a decision to deny jobs on the basis of religion could be acceptable. On communal rhetoric and constitutional limits Bhaskar: Former MP Pragya Thakur said people of other faiths selling prasad near temples should be beaten severely. What do you say?Digvijay: Such statements are not only unconstitutional but criminal. The police should act; I am waiting for that action myself. When social media labelled him “Maulana Digvijaya Singh,” he dismissed the taunt, saying such name-calling does not change his identity or beliefs. “I am a better Hindu than those who spread hatred,” he said, adding that those who are using religion to divide people are harming the country most. He argued that many of those speaking in narrow, majoritarian terms are not acting in the spirit of Sanatan Dharma, which he said respects every human being. He invoked Swami Vivekananda’s message that the essence of religion is humanity, and described attempts to create hatred in society as both unconstitutional and irreligious. A record of opposing extremism both sides, he insists Bhaskar: Do you speak in favour of Muslims? Digvijay: I oppose anyone who speaks against Hindus as well. I have taken action against both the Bajrang Dal and SIMI in the past. When I served as AICC General Secretary, I faced opposition from RSS on one hand and Owaisi’s MIM on the other. Even when I was in charge of Andhra Pradesh, I faced similar pressures. My aim has been to create an environment of impartiality and communal harmony. That is why we launched the “Break Hatred, Unite India” journey. He pointed to the irony that millions of Hindus work in Islamic countries without being expelled, and warned that politics rooted in narrow-mindedness is destroying the country. Those claiming to be religious organisations but spreading hatred, he said, are actually selling religion for political ends. On the term “jihad,” Digvijaya urged critics to look up its true meaning: hard work, passion and dedication. He said the public should seek accurate definitions rather than using the word to incite fear. Political fallout and party relations When asked about claims by Kamal Nath that Jyotiraditya Scindia accused Digvijaya of running the state from behind the scenes, Digvijaya dismissed the notion: “Kamal Nath ji is such a personality that no one can work from behind the scenes while he is there,” he said. He described his ties with party colleagues warmly, calling Umang Singhar “like my child,” and said his recent meeting with Kamal Nath was a mutual visit rather than a summoned discussion — there was no substantive talk about Kamal Nath in that meeting. Social initiatives and the Narmada Parikrama Digvijaya detailed his recent Narmada Parikrama, which he said was not political. He began it after a long period of staying away from political statements and social media for around 190 days. The yatra, guided by Guru Swaroopanand ji Maharaj, included 325 participants from diverse backgrounds including women, Scheduled Caste people, tribals and a few Muslims. He described the journey’s communal spirit and how villagers fed the pilgrims even when they had little. Although he is now 78, Digvijaya said he still has the stamina to walk 20–25 kilometres a day. He stressed that the Narmada Yatra had fulfilled his personal resolve and was undertaken without anyone spending money on food or arrangements. On election integrity and EVM concerns Digvijaya also addressed long-standing concerns about EVMs and the accuracy of voter lists. He supported Rahul Gandhi’s campaign against alleged vote theft, saying Rahul had presented concrete evidence rather than baseless claims. He urged the Election Commission to make voter lists machine-readable, to freeze the list the day poll notification is issued, and to prevent any illegal additions or deletions after candidates begin campaigning. He argued that the list provided to candidates must match the one given to presiding officers, and said that discrepancies favour the party in power. While rejecting blanket demands for proof of citizenship from all voters, he asked the government to name any alleged infiltrators it claims exist. “If there are infiltrators, remove them. Ask them for proof of citizenship,” he said but he warned that demanding proof from every voter is wrong. The deadline and next steps Digvijaya made clear he expects prompt action from the police and administration in the Sheetla Mata Market case. With the October 5 ultimatum set for filing an FIR, he warned that if the administration fails to act, he will pursue legal remedies by going to court. He closed by reiterating a message he returned to several times during the interview: India must reject divisive, religion-based politics and protect the livelihood and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith. Only by fostering unity and upholding constitutional values, he said, can the nation progress.