Sparking yet another controversy, Tripura Scheduled Caste Welfare Minister Sudhangshu Das Sunday said Hindus should have a ‘Sanatan Board’ if Muslims can have the Waqf Board. In a post on his official Facebook page, Das wrote, “This country is secular and democratic as per the Indian Constitution, where all citizens have equal rights. So, if Muslims have a Waqf Board, then there should be a Sanatan Board for Hindus, separate boards should be given… to Christians, Sikhs, and all other religions, or else (such boards) for all religions should be cancelled and equal rights for all citizens should be introduced.” “This is my appeal to the Government of India. #HinduUnity,” Das added. Opposition leader and CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhary termed the minister’s comments as “undesired”. The CPI(M) leader said, “He (Das) has been sworn in twice as MLA and once as minister. All those oaths were taken in the name of the Constitution but it seems he has failed to develop respect… for the Constitution. He has made several other comments previously that we objected to. If he chooses to make such comments, he should step down from his government position and then make random comments.”
