Ranchi, April 16: Jharkhand Minister Hafizul Hassan on Monday sought to clarify his controversial remark “Shariat first, then Constitution” after it triggered widespread criticism from political opponents and sparked a heated debate across party lines.
The minister claimed that his comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context. “I did not say ‘main’ (I), I said ‘hum’ (we). Watch the full statement. A minister believes in the Constitution and functions in accordance,” Hassan told reporters.
He further explained that his words were not intended to undermine the Constitution but to express a sentiment commonly found across faiths. “Shariat too has its own place. People keep Lord Hanuman in their heart… it’s a way of saying. Everyone is distorting it,” he said.
The statement has drawn strong reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with State BJP President Babulal Marandi demanding that the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) clarify their stance and remove Hassan from the Cabinet.
“It has become clear that Congress and JMM make a mockery of the Constitution. The reality has come out through the words of Hafizul Hassan,” Marandi said. “BJP will agitate in Jharkhand so that people know these parties don’t believe in the Constitution.”
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also criticized Hassan’s remarks, particularly for being made on Ambedkar Jayanti, a day commemorating the architect of the Indian Constitution. “If someone says something like that against the Constitution, then it is not right. It is condemnable,” Meghwal stated.
Hassan reiterated that he functions according to constitutional values and urged critics to view his full remarks before drawing conclusions.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time and could fuel further tensions ahead of upcoming legislative activities in the state.
