'Why Are Hindus Leaving Sambhal': Rambhadracharya Defends 'Mini Pakistan' Remark On Western UP

Last Updated:September 15, 2025, 07:45 IST

A controversy erupted after Ramabhadracharya said that being in western Uttar Pradesh felt like being in a "mini Pakistan"

Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya | File Image

Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya defended his description of Western Uttar Pradesh as a “mini Pakistan", questioning the increasing migration of Hindus from Sambhal.

A controversy erupted after Ramabhadracharya, who stays in the spotlight over his fiery remarks, said that being in western Uttar Pradesh felt like being in a “mini Pakistan".

“I am saying this today as well. Why are Hindus migrating so much from Sambhal? In Meerut and Muzaffarnagar as well, many people are dominating Hindus. What wrong did I say?" the spiritual leader told news agency ANI.

The remarks quickly drew a strong reaction from the President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, who called Ramabhadracharya’s statement “baseless".

“He is making baseless claims. Such spiritual leaders should not take the name of our enemy country, Pakistan. As far as the migration in Sambhal, Muzaffarnagar and Meerut is concerned, there is no migration there; Hindus and Muslims are living together," said Bareilvi.

He claimed that populations of both Muslims and non-Muslims have seen an unprecedented growth in Western UP districts, including Sambhal.

“There are only 20 per cent Muslims in the entire country and 80 per cent are non-Muslims, while the spiritual guru suggests otherwise and is misleading for Hindus."

“Population has nothing to do with the government; population always keeps increasing, just see, a few days ago Sadhvi Ritambhara, Pragya Thakur, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat told their people to have three children each, so I want to ask who has forbidden having children?"

‘Hindus Can Never Be Terrorists’

Following the acquittal of all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya asserted on August 31 that Hindus “can never be terrorists," citing history to back his claim.

Speaking to ANI in Chitrakoot, he said the verdict had exposed the Congress, which he accused of failing to produce any evidence in court.

Rambhadracharya added that those acquitted should consider filing a collective defamation suit against the party, insisting that legal action be taken.

His comments followed the Mumbai Special NIA Court’s decision to acquit all seven individuals accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, ruling that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Those cleared of charges — which included sections of the UAPA, the Arms Act, and other laws — were former MP Sadhvi Pragya, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (also known as Shankaracharya), and Sameer Kulkarni.

Ronit Singh

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...Read More

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...

Read More

News india 'Why Are Hindus Leaving Sambhal': Rambhadracharya Defends 'Mini Pakistan' Remark On Western UP

Read More