Bhagat Singh Is Our Crown: UP MP Imran Masood Responds to BJP's Accusations

Congress MP Imran Masood asserts that Bhagat Singh is irreplaceable and cannot be compared to Hamas. He criticises BJP for misrepresenting his statements during the Bihar elections.

Congress MP Imran Masood stated he never equated Bhagat Singh with Hamas, accusing the BJP of misrepresenting his words. "Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh is the crown of our heads, he cannot be compared with anyone," Masood said on Monday. He emphasised Bhagat Singh's sacrifice for India, noting he could have apologised to the British but chose martyrdom instead.

Masood expressed his willingness to apologise to Bhagat Singh repeatedly, highlighting his respect for the freedom fighter. "I would apologise to Bhagat Singh not once, but 10 times, a thousand times, a million times, because he is the crown on our heads," he stated. This follows a controversy where Masood allegedly compared Bhagat Singh with Hamas.

Controversy and Accusations

The controversy began when BJP leader Amit Malviya shared an interview on X where Masood was heard saying both Bhagat Singh and Hamas were fighting for their land. Malviya accused Masood of making this comparison as part of a strategy during the upcoming Bihar assembly elections in November.

Malviya alleged that comparing Bhagat Singh to Hamas was an insult to Bihar's people, given Bhagat Singh's historical connection to the region. He claimed this was a deliberate strategy by Congress during the elections. "Comparing Bhagat Singh to the terrorist organisation Hamas by Congress MP Imran Masood during the Bihar elections is part of a well-planned strategy," Malviya wrote.

Masood's Clarification

Facing criticism from the BJP, Masood clarified that he never intended to compare Bhagat Singh with anyone. He reiterated that Bhagat Singh is Shaheed-E-Azam and incomparable. "This is wrong. I have clearly said that if a person kills another person, it is not a good thing," Masood explained.

Masood further stated that he does not support violence and accused the BJP of distorting his words. "The BJP tries to raise issues like this, not those concerning the people or the country. They try to put words into others' mouths," he remarked. He insisted his comments were misrepresented and selectively spread as falsehoods.

Masood clarified his statement about Hamas, saying he only mentioned they were fighting for their land, similar to how Bhagat Singh fought for India's freedom. He stressed that he never compared anyone directly and reiterated Bhagat Singh's unique ideology.

The incident highlights ongoing political tensions as parties prepare for the Bihar elections. Both sides continue to engage in verbal exchanges over historical figures and their legacies in contemporary politics.

With inputs from PTI