Hindutva leader threatens Muslims in Ayodhya over slogans

A video circulating online shows Hindutva leader Deepak Das threatening Muslims in Ayodhya, claiming '80%' are terrorists and vowing to bury them. The remarks sparked widespread outrage and calls for legal action. NEW DELHI: A video, circulating on social media, has triggered widespread outrage after a Hindutva Hindu man after threatening and communal remarks, targeting Muslims in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh state. The video has triggered outrage after a Hindutva man, identified as Deepak Das, described in the post as the national treasurer of the Hindu Security Service Association, made threatening and communal remarks targeting Muslims at Hanumangarhi in Ayodhya. In the video, Das is heard saying: 'I don't want to even see Muslims, and I will bury them'. His slur earned him a round of applause and cheers from all those present. He further said, '80pc' of Muslims in the country are terrorists and added that Muslims, who do not chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' or 'Vande Mataram' would be 'buried 80 feet underground.' One user on X wrote, 'Such communal and threatening rhetoric targeting an entire religious community is deeply disturbing and must be condemned. Patriotism cannot be imposed through threats, and citizens should not be threatened with violence for their religious identity or beliefs.' Another user called for action against Das. 'Calling the entire community terrorist and threatening to bury them alive is nothing but hatred and intimidation. In India, every citizen has the right to live with dignity while maintaining their identity and practising their faith. Those who incite hatred should face legal action.' The remarks and threat against those who refuse to chant particular slogans have raised concerns about intimidation and the targeting of Muslims based on their religious identity. The incident has raised concerns about the serious and adverse consequences of such hateful communal rhetoric in public spaces, particularly when political or religious disagreement is framed in terms of threats against an entire community.