VHP seeks Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari's removal from cabinet over 'regime change' remark

New Delhi, Nov 5 (PTI) Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday demanded the removal of Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari from the state cabinet, accusing him of making provocative remarks and harbouring an "anti-national mindset".

    VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal also criticised the opposition's collective rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, alleging that despite efforts to mobilise people from across the country, the reality of the gathering was evident.

    "The opposition's collective rally at Ramlila Maidan was organised by putting in all its strength, with efforts made to bring people from across the country. Leaders made tall claims, but the reality was clearly visible at Ramlila Maidan," Bansal said in a video statement.

    Targeting Ansari, he alleged that the Jharkhand minister was unable to come out of his "jihadi mindset" and was dreaming of replicating the situation in Bangladesh and Nepal in India.

    "He should be ashamed and apologise immediately. How can you dare to say that just because so many people are with Rahul Gandhi, you can launch an attack and bring about regime change?" he said.

    "This anti-India agenda will no longer work. Irfan Ansari, stay within your limits. Many have come and gone after attacking India. This is no longer the India that existed during the Congress regime. This is a new India, a powerful India, a strong India," the VHP spokesperson said.

    He said anyone who challenged India's democracy, Constitution and system had to leave.

    Bansal also asked the Congress leadership to clarify whether it wanted to provoke and mislead the country's youth and push the country into the grip of anarchy.

    "This dream will never come true. Such provocative statements made recently at the national and state levels should invite action," he said.

    The VHP spokesperson urged the Jharkhand chief minister to remove Ansari from the cabinet immediately.

    "How can a person with an anti-national mindset be a member of the cabinet? Such people must know their limits," he said.

    The remarks came after Ansari reportedly said that 40 lakh students and young people are on the streets of Delhi and are being held back by Rahul Gandhi.

    He also warned that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not take notice of the situation, India could witness a situation worse than those in Bangladesh and Nepal.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)