New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) The Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Friday hit out at Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari over his warning that India could witness developments worse than those in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Speaking to PTI, JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said Ansari appeared to have lost his mental balance and needed a medical check-up, claiming that the Congress leader had courted controversy in the past as well with such statements.
"Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari has earlier also hogged headlines because of such statements. In fact, they appear to be a group of mentally unstable people. People like Irfan Ansari should get their mental health examined," Prasad said.
"Jharkhand also has a very good mental health hospital," he added.
Ansari had reportedly said on Thursday that 40 lakh students and young people were on the streets in Delhi and were being held back by Rahul Gandhi.
He also warned that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take notice of the situation, India could witness developments worse than those in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Questioning Ansari's comparison of the situation in India with that in neighbouring countries, the JD(U) spokesperson said the roots of democracy in India were very deep.
"If he considers India to be like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, we certainly have doubts about his mental condition," Prasad said.
"He is comparing the world's largest democracy, whose population is set to reach 150 crore, with these countries. The roots of democracy in India are very deep," he added.
Warning against attempts to provoke people through such statements, Prasad said Ansari's remarks will create difficulties not only for him but also for the Jharkhand government and its ruling alliance.
"If any politician tries to provoke the public with such sentiments, it will undoubtedly become a noose around not only Irfan Ansari's neck but also create difficulties for his government and alliance. His remarks have created problems for them," Prasad said.
LJP(RV) national spokesperson Ritesh Kumar described Ansari's remarks as "irresponsible and needlessly alarmist", saying such comparisons risk creating fear and deepening political tensions instead of encouraging a calm, democratic response to public concerns.
"The remarks by Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari are irresponsible and needlessly alarmist. Comparing India's situation with events in Bangladesh and Nepal is equally reckless," Kumar said.
He said the Union government remained accountable to the people and committed to India's constitutional institutions, adding that political leaders should rely on facts and responsible dialogue, not dramatic warnings.
