Jobaaj Stories
Jaipur, Rajasthan – A major controversy erupted in the Rajasthan Assembly on March 7 when BJP MLA Gopal Sharma repeatedly referred to Congress’s Chief Whip and Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan as “Pakistani.” The remarks triggered heated exchanges in the House, highlighting ongoing political and religious tensions.
Khan’s Poised Response Amid Political Tensions
Instead of retaliating with anger, Khan chose to respond with poetry, reinforcing his message of unity. “Un ka jo farz hai vo ahal-e-siyaasat jaanen, mera paigaam mohabbat hai jahan tak pahunche” (The people of politics should know their duty; my message of love should reach wherever it can), he said. His measured approach has been a hallmark of his political career, allowing him to navigate intense debates with composure.
Repeated Political Targeting
This was not the first time Khan faced communal jibes in the Assembly. In August 2020, he was labeled “Tablighi” by BJP MLAs after criticizing the government’s handling of COVID-19. During the 2023 elections, his opponent from Adarsh Nagar accused his political rivals of harming cows, further fueling communal narratives.
More recently, Sharma clashed with Khan during a Jaipur Municipal Corporation Heritage board meeting, where Sharma objected to the city’s demographic changes, warning against Jaipur becoming a “mini-Pakistan.” He went as far as calling Khan “Jaipur ka Jinnah,” drawing a controversial comparison to Pakistan’s founder.
Khan’s Emotional Breakdown: ‘Is It a Crime to Be a Muslim MLA?’
While Khan has largely ignored such provocations, the repeated attacks took a toll. Speaking to reporters, he broke down, saying, “I haven’t been able to sleep for the last two nights. I was abused inside the House… I am happy my father is no more because had he been alive, he wouldn’t have been able to bear this humiliation.”
A Rising Political Force
First elected in 2018, Khan has steadily risen in Congress’s ranks. His close association with former Chief Whip Mahesh Joshi saw him play a key role in multiple political crises, including the 2020 rebellion led by Sachin Pilot against then-CM Ashok Gehlot.
His prominence grew further in 2021 when he was appointed chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Minorities, allowing him to advocate for community issues at the state level.
Selective Outrage? Congress’s Tepid Response
The Congress party recently staged protests over a minister’s remark calling former PM Indira Gandhi “aapki daadi” (your grandmother). However, the “Pakistani” slur against Khan has seen little reaction from the party leadership, raising questions about selective outrage in political discourse.
As political tensions in Rajasthan continue to simmer, Khan’s stance remains unwavering: advocating love over hate while navigating the complexities of identity politics in a deeply polarized environment.
