Hamid Ansari quotes Nehru on Hindu right-wing communalism, invites BJP fury
Former Vice President Hamid Ansari has triggered a political row after citing late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's observation that the "danger to India" was not communism but "Hindu right-wing communalism".
Ansari made the remarks while speaking at an event organised at the India Islamic Cultural Centre to commemorate constitutional expert and author AG Noorani. He was referring to Noorani's 2019 book, The RSS: A Menace to India.
While discussing Noorani's work, Ansari quoted an observation attributed to Nehru from a meeting of Ministry of External Affairs officers. According to Ansari, the observation was recorded by former Foreign Secretary Jagat Singh Gundevia.
"The danger to India, mark you, it is not communism. It is Hindu right-wing communalism," Ansari quoted Nehru as saying.
His remarks drew criticism from BJP leaders, with several accusing Ansari of making an "unfortunate" statement.
BJP MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Ansariβs reference to Nooraniβs 2019 book showed that, according to the book, Nehru viewed communism as a threat but considered Hindu nationalism a greater danger.
He said the remarks also exposed what he described as the Congressβ ideological shift towards the "ultra-Left" and sought to draw a connection between Nehruβs views and those expressed by party MP Rahul Gandhi.#WATCH | Delhi: BJP MP and National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi says, "...Former Vice President Hamid Ansari quoted a book which was written in 2019. As per the book, Nehru ji is saying that for him, Communism is not a threat as big as Hindu nationalism. For this, I would like pic.twitter.com/PkPfMtA4rGβ ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2026Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also criticised Ansari's statement, saying some people "cannot maintain the dignity of their position".
"Hamid Ansari has been the Vice President of the country, yet he has made an unfortunate statement. His views are dangerous for India and Indian tradition. This statement is part of an agenda to tarnish India's image globally, which is propagated by anti-India forces," he said..
Yogi Adityanath further alleged that Ansari's remarks attempted to "curse India's eternal tradition and insult Hindu tradition" and said they also sought to link Hindus with terrorism.
BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said Ansari's remarks had upset many people in the Muslim community and called for an apology.
"His recent remarks are unfortunate, and in my view, have upset many people in the Muslim community," Hussain said. He said India was progressing under the vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" and claimed that Muslims were making progress in education and competitive examinations.
Hussain also said the country was living in a "peaceful and riot-free environment" and added that Ansari should apologise for his remarks.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that after Partition, India became a secular nation where people from different religions live together.
"Those who attempt to create differences and division will not succeed in their agenda," Naqvi said.
BJP National Secretary Rohan Gupta said the remarks reflected what he described as the "true mindset" of the Congress party and its ideology since Nehru's time.
Gupta also questioned how the country could accept a political party that, according to him, had "hatred" for Sanatan while historically opposing communism.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 12:06 IST
