Syed Shafiulla calls out hypocrisy over street Namaz vs. Hindu festivals; Video goes viral
New Delhi: A recent episode of The Sujit Kumar Show, featuring Congress leader Syed Shafiulla as a guest, has sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. The video, which was uploaded on February 9, 2025, on the official YouTube channel of The Sujit Kumar Show, has garnered only around 5,200 views on the platform as of March 29, 2025 but has gone viral on other social media channels and pages.
The segment that has drawn the most attention revolves around a debate on the practice of offering Namaz on the streets. When the host questioned the justification of street prayers, Syed Shafiulla gave a sharp and assertive response, which resonated with many viewers and quickly spread across various platforms.
In the viral clip, Syed Shafiulla challenged the fairness of the host's questioning, arguing that religious activities on streets are not exclusive to Muslims. He pointed out that Hindu festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Janmashtami, and Kanwar Yatra also involve public celebrations that occupy streets.
"Don't you think there should be equality for everyone?" Syed Shafiulla asked. "Do Hindus not celebrate festivals on streets? Are all religious activities in India confined to temples? Do Kanwariyas walk inside their homes? Why are you asking only about Muslims?"
The host appeared visibly caught off guard and struggled to provide a response. Syed Shafiulla further elaborated on how Hindu religious practices also spill over onto public roads, questioning why similar scrutiny is not applied to them. His counterargument, particularly referencing Ganesh Chaturthi processions and Janmashtami celebrations, struck a chord with many viewers, leading to widespread discussion online.
Syed Shafiulla is a politician from Karnataka who has previously served as the State Senior Vice President of the Janata Dal (Secular). However, in September 2023, he resigned from both his position and the party’s primary membership after JD(S) aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He cited ideological differences, emphasizing that JD(S) had traditionally upheld secular principles that he felt conflicted with BJP’s political stance. Following his resignation, he joined the Indian National Congress.
His remarks come amidst ongoing debates on religious equality, secularism, and media biases, especially in the wake of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. The controversy was triggered by police orders banning namaz on streets in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Meerut and Sambhal. Adding to the tension, the Meerut Police has threatened to cancel passports and driving licences for violations. Right-wing handles and their supporters have since engaged in baseless debates on social media, further fueling the discourse.
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TN Assembly elections: Eight-month pregnant homemaker wins Thiru Vi Ka Nagar seat for TVK
Chennai (PTI): Before giving birth, she had already delivered a mandate—a symbol of hope for Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.
Echoing Delhi’s 2013 “common citizen” political churn associated with the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an eight-month-pregnant homemaker, M R Pallavi, has been elected as an MLA from Chennai’s Thiru Vi Ka Nagar constituency, emerging as one of the notable first-time faces of the Vijay-led TVK in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the narrow lanes of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, a steady stream of media personnel has been making their way to Pallavi’s residence—a scene reminiscent of the result day in Delhi when journalists thronged the modest home of Rakhi Birla, who had won from Mangolpuri on an AAP ticket.
Pallavi, 36, a homemaker educated up to class XII, defeated the DMK candidate K S Ravichandran by a margin of 22,333 votes in the reserved Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Assembly constituency.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats, while DMK and AIADMK got 59 and 47, respectively.
Pallavi’s victory has drawn attention due to her personal circumstances. She campaigned extensively while eight months pregnant, going door-to-door to reach voters.
According to local accounts, she even fainted once during the campaign but continued her outreach.
She has not spoken to the media following her victory, as doctors have advised her to rest. Her husband, Rajesh, briefly recounted her campaign efforts.
A self-professed admirer of actor-turned-politician Vijay, Pallavi joined TVK soon after its formation and is now among its first-time legislators.
Doctors have advised her to be hospitalised around May 20, as she is expecting her second child. Ahead of that, voters in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar have entrusted her with representing them in the state Assembly.
Political observers say the rise of candidates like Pallavi signals a possible shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, with voters backing a new party and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.
