Row Erupts Over Hamid Ansari’s Remark on Mahmud of Ghazni: BJP Slams ‘Hindu-Hater’ Ecosystem

Advertisment

Former Vice President Hamid Ansari has sparked a huge debate across India. He recently said that historical figures like Mahmud of Ghazni were ‘Indian looters’ rather than foreign invaders. This comment quickly caught the attention of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP accused Ansari of trying to hide the truth about historical attacks on Hindu temples. This disagreement has turned into a major political fight over how India’s history should be told to future generations.

Rewriting History: The Core of the Ansari-BJP Dispute

The main problem is how people see rulers from a long time ago. Hamid Ansari said that as these rulers lived or stayed in India, they should be called “Indian.” He specifically mentioned the Lodi dynasty and Mahmud of Ghazni in his speech. Ansari believes these men were just part of local power struggles. However, history books say Ghazni was famous for attacking the Somnath Temple many centuries ago. 

Advertisment

The BJP strongly disagrees with this view. Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla called Ansari's words a ‘dangerous lie.’ The BJP says Ghazni was a foreign invader who came from another country. They believe he wanted to destroy religious sites and steal India’s gold. By calling him “Indian,” the BJP says Ansari is ignoring the pain caused to the people of that time.

The Long-Term Consequences: Will This Reshape Education and Diplomacy?

If one wonders what will be the likely consequences of this news on India's school books and foreign relations six months from now, the government is already working to change how history is taught in schools. These new comments by Ansari will possibly lead to even bigger changes in textbooks. We can expect the NCERT to be very clear in the future. They will likely label these rulers as "foreign invaders" to make sure students see them as outsiders.

This debate might also affect how India sommunicates with other countries. In Afghanistan, Mahmud of Ghazni is still seen as a hero. If India officially calls him a looter in all its records, it could increase the tension with neighboring countries. At home, this topic will stay in the news for a long time and could be a major talking point in the 2026 elections. Political parties will use "cultural pride" to win over voters who care about protecting India's history.

Advertisment