AIMIM leader Shoaib Jamai has sparked another controversy after urging Muslim traders to boycott apples from Himachal Pradesh. In a post on social media platform X, Jamai stated, “Enough is enough, now we should start an economic boycott. I appeal to Muslim traders, who are about 80 per cent, to boycott Himachal apples. For God’s sake don’t purchase anything from this market of hatred.” The post, which has since been deleted, further asserted that during winters, no purchases would be made from Himachal and that the “secular society” of the entire country should come together to combat this “hatred.” Jamai also demanded that the government verify the Aadhaar cards of all Himachalis entering Delhi.
Reacting to Jamai’s comments, Himachal BJP spokesperson Chetan Bragata issued a statement condemning the boycott call. He declared that the apple growers will not be intimidated by Jamai’s threats and that his appeal to a particular community not to purchase Himachal apples is regrettable. Bragata emphasized that apple cultivation is an ancestral profession for Himachalis and that they are capable of managing their industry and establishing their own market. He urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take notice of Jamai’s remarks and pursue legal action against him.
In a subsequent post on X, Jamai expressed remorse over his appeal, stating that he was “emotionally carried away.” He clarified, “No hatred for any community. Absolutely not. I always believe in the secular fabric of the society. Whole Bharat is one. Love all. Previous Tweet was misinterpreted.” He explained that his comments stemmed from a meeting with Muslim traders in Sanjauli, where he had sought to amplify their concerns about a potential mosque demolition.
This incident comes after Jamai triggered another controversy in September when he released a video from the disputed Sanjauli mosque in Shimla. In the video, he stated that he would file a PIL questioning why other buildings in the area exceeding four stories were not deemed illegal.
