Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishvas Sarang has strongly condemned the remarks made by All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi over pictures showing Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami’s daughter playing Holi. Sarang termed Maulana’s comments extremist and detrimental to social harmony, asserting that such ideologies would not be tolerated.
In a letter addressed to Mohammed Shami, Sarang assured the cricketer that neither he nor his daughter needed to fear fundamentalists, as the government stands firmly with them. He criticized Maulana Rizvi’s remarks as an example of hatred-driven politics and accused the Congress party of indulging in appeasement politics.
कट्टरपंथी और चरमपंथी अपनी सीमाएं लांघ रहे हैं! इस देश में अब धमकी और नफरत की राजनीति नहीं चलेगी।
— विश्वास कैलाश सारंग (@VishvasSarang) March 17, 2025
क्रिकेटर मोहम्मद शमी की बेटी के होली खेलने पर मोहम्मद शहाबुद्दीन रजवी का बयान न केवल आपत्तिजनक बल्कि अस्वीकार्य है। मैंने शमी को पत्र लिखकर कहा है कि उन्हें और उनकी बेटी को… pic.twitter.com/eDiuBTUSTd
"Extremists are crossing their limits. Hatred-driven politics will not work in this country. Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi’s statement is objectionable, and such threats will not be tolerated," Sarang stated.
The minister further emphasized that Mohammed Shami has brought immense pride to India, and it was shocking that extremists were targeting his daughter for celebrating Holi. Sarang pointed out that Maulana Rizvi had previously criticized Shami for drinking water during a cricket match instead of fasting during Ramadan, calling it a "crime."
Highlighting India’s cultural diversity, Sarang asserted that Holi is an integral part of the country’s heritage and that no individual or group can impose restrictions on someone’s personal freedom. He reiterated that the government would ensure the safety of Shami and his family and would not allow fundamentalist forces to dictate personal choices.
