Jamshedpur: Health minister Banna Gupta was drawn into a political controversy over Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's "Batenge Toh Katenge" (if divided, we perish) remark after he was heard saying that he would protest against Hindu fundamentalists if any minority community member is unjustly targetted. Gupta is a candidate from the Jamshedpur (West) assembly segment.
A 35-second video in which Gupta was heard saying that he would stand up against Hindu fundamentalists if they attacked members of the minority community also went viral on social media on Sunday evening.
The viral video was from an election meeting at Mango in the Jamshedpur (West) constituency on November 7. During the rally, Banna said, "Kehte Ho Batoge Toh Katoge. Tumne agar maa ka doodh piya hai…katoge aur batoge toh hum kahana chahate hai agar Bablu Bhai ke ghar par koi Hindu kattarpanthi humla karega yah Nausad Bhai ke ghar par koi Hindu kattarpanthi humla karega toh Banna Gupta iska virodh karega. (You say Batoge to Katoge. If the Hindu fundamentalists attack the homes of Bablu Bhai and Naushad Bhai, Banna Gupta will protest against it)."
Reacting to Banna's statement, senior BJP leader of the Kolhan division, Anil Modi, said politicians should not mix religion for political gains. "A senior and wise politician will never speak controversial things, this is not fair in politics," Modi said.
Meanwhile, Union minister of state Sanjay Seth said Hindus were not fundamentalists. "It is wrong on the part of the minister to call Hindus fundamentalists," Seth said.