Lucknow, March 4: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday voiced concerns over alleged discrimination against Muslims by the central and state governments. She asserted that all religions should be treated equally but claimed that Muslims were facing "step-motherly treatment" in religious matters.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mayawati emphasized India's secular ethos and urged governments to uphold fairness in implementing laws related to religious restrictions and exemptions. She cautioned that such discrimination could threaten societal peace and harmony.
"India is a secular country that respects all religions. In such a situation, the central and state governments should treat the followers of all religions equally without any bias, but the step-motherly treatment being meted out to Muslims in religious matters is not justified," she stated.
She further stressed the need for uniform application of rules regarding religious festivals and restrictions, arguing that any bias in such matters could disrupt societal harmony.
"The rules and laws related to restrictions and exemptions regarding festivals of all religions should be implemented equally without any bias, which does not seem to be happening," she added.
Highlighting the potential consequences of such perceived discrimination, Mayawati warned that unequal treatment could lead to unrest, urging authorities to address the issue promptly.
"It is natural for peace and mutual harmony in the society to deteriorate due to this, which is a matter of great concern. Governments must pay attention to this," she stated.
Mayawati's remarks come amid ongoing discussions about religious policies and their implementation across various states. Her statement is likely to spark further political debate on the issue of secularism and religious equality in governance.