A video featuring radical Islamic cleric Mohammed Sajid Rashidi making inflammatory and derogatory remarks about Hindus has surfaced on social media, igniting widespread condemnation. The video, which quickly gained traction online, shows Rashidi accusing Hindus of committing vile acts against their revered deities.
During a panel discussion on Times Now Navbharat on Thursday, October 10, Rashidi can be heard making highly offensive remarks. “Islam has declared that there is Jannat (paradise) at the foot of the mother…You (Hindus) rape the one that you refer to as Devi,” he stated, sparking immediate outrage among viewers and panelists alike.
Journalist Himanshu Dixit, present during the discussion, swiftly confronted Rashidi, urging him to exercise restraint and stay within the bounds of civility. Despite this intervention, Rashidi’s remarks have continued to provoke strong reactions, particularly from the Hindu community, which has expressed deep offense at the cleric’s words.
It has now been five days since Maulana Sajid Rashidi’s derogatory comments were made public, yet no legal action has been taken against him. The lack of immediate repercussions has angered many who believe that the cleric’s remarks were a deliberate attempt to outrage religious sentiments.
Critics argue that Rashidi’s comments not only insult the Hindu faith but also foster communal discord. Calls for his arrest and legal proceedings have grown louder on social media, with many demanding swift action against the cleric for his hateful rhetoric.
This is not the first time that Maulana Sajid Rashidi has found himself at the centre of controversy. Known for his incendiary statements, Rashidi has previously stirred public outrage with his provocative remarks on various occasions.
In August 2024, a video surfaced of Rashidi objecting to the chanting of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” in schools. The cleric’s opposition to the national slogan sparked backlash, as many viewed his stance as unpatriotic and divisive.
Rashidi has also made controversial comments about India’s territorial integrity. He threatened violence and another partition of the country if the Waqf Act was amended. His threats caused alarm, especially among those advocating for Waqf Board reforms, which aim to modernise and ensure accountability within the organisation.
Rashidi’s inflammatory rhetoric extends back to February 2023, when he made incendiary remarks regarding the historic Somnath Temple. In a widely circulated video, Rashidi claimed that the Islamic tyrant Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the temple not out of hatred for non-believers (Kafirs), but to stop alleged “wrongdoings” inside the temple. His statements sparked outrage, particularly among Hindus who revere the Somnath Temple as a sacred site.
An FIR was filed against Rashidi for his comments, and the cleric later issued a half-hearted apology to the Somnath Trust. However, he maintained that his statements were based on the writings of historian Romila Thapar, a claim that was widely criticised.
Rashidi’s controversial remarks extend to other areas as well. In November 2022, he threatened that India would “be set on fire” following the Uttarakhand government’s decision to modernise madrasas. His comments were seen as an attempt to resist government reforms aimed at improving the educational standards in Islamic seminaries.
Despite his history of incitement and repeated threats of violence, Maulana Sajid Rashidi has largely evaded legal consequences for his inflammatory statements. His latest remarks about Hindus have once again brought him into the spotlight, with many urging authorities to take action before his words fuel further communal tensions.
