Issue of ‘insulting Quran’ heated up in Delhi elections, controversy over AAP candidate deepens

Before the Delhi Assembly elections, a big controversy has arisen regarding a candidate of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The issue of ‘insulting Quran’ is gaining momentum after the ticket was given to sitting MLA Naresh Yadav from Mehrauli again. Opposition parties, especially All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and BJP, have targeted AAP on this issue.

Controversy regarding AAP candidate Naresh Yadav

AAP has again fielded controversial Mehrauli seat MLA Naresh Yadav.

• Convicted: Naresh Yadav was convicted in the Quran sacrilege case in Malerkotla, Punjab on November 30.
• Punishment: The court sentenced him to 2 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 11,000.
• Allegation: In 2016, Yadav was arrested by the police in connection with the finding of torn pages of Quran in Malerkotla. He was convicted under sections 295A, 153A, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

Questions raised on your decision

Aam Aadmi Party is facing all-round criticism for giving ticket to Naresh Yadav.

• AIMIM’s protest:
  • AIMIM called it a ‘slap on the cheeks of Muslims’.
  • Delhi State President Shoaib Jamai said,
    

    “You gave ticket to a person who is guilty of insulting Islam and communal sentiments.”

  • The party burnt the effigy of Arvind Kejriwal while protesting in Mustafabad.
• BJP’s attack:
  BJP has also started preparations to capitalize on this issue. Minority Front organized a big demonstration on this in Delhi.

The case of ‘insulting the Quran’: What is the truth?

In 2016, pages of the Quran were found torn in Malerkotla.

• Initial arrests: Police had earlier arrested three people named Vijay, Gaurav, and Kishore.
• Later, Naresh Yadav’s name also came up in the investigation.
• Court action: In March 2021, he was acquitted by the lower court, but convicted by the district court on the appeal of complainant Mohammad Ashraf.

Increasing activism of AIMIM

AIMIM, which is trying to expand its base in Muslim dominated areas of Delhi, has raised this issue strongly.

• The party has intensified the campaign in Mehrauli as well as in areas like Mustafabad.
• By giving tickets to controversial faces like Tahir Hussain, the party is directly trying to break into the Muslim vote bank of AAP.

impact on your strategy

Till now, AAP’s Muslim vote bank has been strong in Delhi.

• The party has consistently won Muslim-dominated seats, where the Congress once dominated.
• But the decision to give ticket to Naresh Yadav can be harmful for the party.

BJP’s agenda and growing controversies

BJP has also included this issue in its election strategy.

• Politics of polarization: BJP attacked AAP’s policies, calling Naresh Yadav’s case an example of minority appeasement.
• Protest: Delhi Minority Front recently organized a large protest on this issue.

What do you say?

AAP has not yet given any public clarification regarding Naresh Yadav’s ticket.

• The party believes that he was given the ticket considering his past record and regional hold.
• There are reports of dissatisfaction regarding this decision even within the party.

What will be the effect?

• Impact of AIMIM:
  Owaisi’s party is trying to break into the Muslim vote bank of Delhi.
• BJP’s strategy:
  BJP is trying to make this decision of AAP a big election issue.
• Impact on Muslim voters:
  Naresh Yadav’s candidature and AIMIM’s opposition may affect AAP’s Muslim vote bank.