Businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi, voiced his concerns on Saturday over the prioritization of religious issues in politics, particularly the excavation of mosques, over pressing developmental matters like inflation and farmers’ protests.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Vadra criticized the increasing focus on religion in political discourse, calling it a “wrong approach.” He stated, “Even as people are suffering because of inflation and farmers are protesting, the focus is on the excavation of mosques, which is wrong. Communal issues will arise instead of development. It will create unnecessary unrest.”
Vadra made these remarks while visiting Mumbai’s iconic Haji Ali Dargah, where he offered a chaddar and prayed for the well-being of his family and the nation. He emphasized his desire to see brotherhood and peace prevail in society. “I prayed for the well-being of my family and the country. I wish brotherhood prevails in society,” he said.
Referring to recent communal tensions, Vadra highlighted the unrest in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, where violence broke out on November 24 following a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid. He criticized such actions as harmful distractions from critical issues facing the nation.
“As a diverse nation, we should try to be as secular as possible. There shouldn’t be the politics of religion. Religion and politics should be separate,” he remarked, underscoring his belief that the intertwining of these two domains undermines India’s foundational secular values.
Vadra also shared insights from his “spiritual trips” across the country, where he has visited various places of worship. He said these visits reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace and harmony, values he believes are essential to counter the rising communal tensions.
His comments come amid increasing polarization over religious and cultural issues in the political sphere. Vadra’s remarks echo concerns voiced by other leaders and observers who have called for a focus on economic and social challenges instead of divisive politics.