By Hasan Akram

Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant has criticised the individuals and media outlets, which are allegedly spreading hatred against Indian Muslims while blaming them for the spread of Covid-19.

In a video uploaded on social media platforms, she said, “Do not set Hindus and Muslims against each other. Shame on you. Do not spread misinformation.”

She added, “Don’t even by mistake say that Muslims have brought Corona. Muslims have not done it. People from every community are affected by Corona. It has come from the above for those barbarians who have committed sins against Prameshvar, Allah and Jesus”.

India belongs to Muslims as much as it belongs to Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, she added.

She also lauded the efforts of Muslims who are doing relief work amid the coronavirus lockdown in India. “Look how much help a Muslim is providing. He is providing food items as well as lifting the bier,” she said while referring to the recent incidents wherein Muslims performed last rites of Hindu persons.

Sawant’s message comes in the wake of a large scale hate campaign against Muslim in India, which began after a section of Indian media misreported a congregation organised by Islamic missionary group Tablighi Jamaat in March in New Delhi after several of the group’s members were infected with Covid-19.

The misrepresentation of the incident has led to the social boycott of Muslims in many corners of India and a rise in cyberbullying against them.