BJP leader makes death threat against Congress MLA Arif Masood, sparks row
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Tensions flared in Bhopal after BJP leader Krishna Ghadge, a member of the party’s state working committee and a close associate of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, publicly issued a death threat against Congress MLA Arif Masood, calling him a “Pakistani agent” and vowing retribution.
The inflammatory remarks were made during a Hanuman Janmotsav gathering, where Ghadge addressed the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
In a widely circulated video, he accused Masood and his supporters of being anti-Hindu and warned that they would be “dealt with” in Bhopal itself. Ghadge used derogatory language and made a veiled reference to violence, stating that Masood and those who “oppose our religion” would not be spared.
Masood’s supporters filed a police complaint in response. However, Ghadge refused to apologise, instead doubling down on social media. In a Facebook post, he claimed his rally was aimed at Pakistan and justified his remarks, saying Masood was being rightly called a “threat” for allegedly siding with Pakistan.
This incident follows a similar threat a day earlier by a man named Sachin Raghuvanshi, who has now been booked. Images have since surfaced showing Raghuvanshi with a senior BJP leader, prompting Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh to question whether the police would reassess Masood’s security and whether the BJP would act against those threatening him.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Arif Masood said he believes the attacks are politically motivated.
“They fear me because I’m a strong Opposition figure. Despite their efforts, I continue to win elections and represent unity in diversity,” he said. Masood has served as the Bhopal Central MLA since 2018 and is one of only two Muslim legislators in Madhya Pradesh. Known for his grassroots presence and vocal advocacy for minority rights, Masood has often been at odds with the BJP over issues such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and religious freedom.
In 2020, after leading a protest in Bhopal against French President Emmanuel Macron following a cartoon controversy, a building linked to him was demolished by the municipal corporation, which Masood called an act of political vendetta.
The BJP’s official response has been cautious.
Party spokesperson Narendra Saluja said he was unaware of Ghadge’s exact comments and that the matter would be looked into to verify the context and authenticity of the video.
