Hyderabad, March 28 Telangana MLA T Raja Singh criticized those who oppose singing "Vande Mataram" and chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai," and questioned why India cannot become a "Hindu Rashtra."
Addressing a Ram Navami procession here on late Friday, the Goshamahal MLA said those who claim India as their own should not oppose singing "Vande Mataram," chanting "Bharat Mata ki Jai," or engage in what he termed "love jihad."
This term is used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into relationships and marriage in order to convert them to Islam.
"Does anyone's religion come under threat if one chants 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' or 'Vande Mataram'?" Singh asked.
Calling upon Hindus to work towards achieving a "Hindu Rashtra," setting aside differences such as caste, he questioned why India cannot be declared a Hindu nation when there are 57 Islamic countries in the world.
He also praised the police in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh for apprehending individuals with suspected terror links in various cases.
"If anyone dares to look at India or my religion with evil intent, we will not spare them," he said.
Praising Aditya Dhar's recently-released 'Dhurandhar 2', Singh said that films in the past were made to weaken India, but movies are now being made to "awaken 100 crore Hindus" in the country.
Last year, the BJP accepted Singh's resignation after he quit the party, criticizing its choice of state president.