Sakshi Maharaj defends controversial remarks, BJP distances itself
The controversial leader called for implementing the Uniform Civil Code and indirectly held Muslims responsible for population explosion.
New Delhi, Jan 7: Facing severe criticism, BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Saturday defended his controversial speech in which he blamed Muslims for India's population boom, saying he did not name any community but rather expressed concern. While the opposition has called for action against him, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday distanced itself from the remarks.
A day after making the communally laced speech at a gathering in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, the Unnao MP blamed the media for quoting him "out of context". "I did not make any communal speech. It was a gathering of saints during which I expressed concern about population explosion. My speech has been videographed and no where I have named any community," Sakshi Maharaj told IANS.
[Also read: 'Those with 4 wives, 40 children responsible for population rise']
Speaking
at
the
event
in
Meerut
on
Friday,
the
controversial
leader
called
for
implementing
the
Uniform
Civil
Code
and
indirectly
held
Muslims
responsible
for
population
explosion.
"Population
is
rising
rapidly,
and
so
are
the
country's
problems.
But
Hindus
are
not
responsible
for
this.
Those
who
talk
about
four
wives
and
forty
children
are
responsible,"
Sakshi
Maharaj
said
in
his
address
which
was
telecast
by
the
media
and
widely
shared
on
social
media.
"Remember, if Hindus number decreases, the country will be divided," said the MP, days after the Supreme Court declared that appealing for votes in the name of religion was "illegal". "I said four wives and forty children will not be allowed, cannot be allowed. Mothers are not machines," he said, calling for equal laws for all irrespective of number of children a person has.
While the opposition Congress and the state's ruling Samajwadi Party expressed strong reservation over the remarks and termed it a violation of the election Model Code of Conduct, the BJP distanced itself. "This shouldn't be seen as the BJP's stand," Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here when asked by the media to react to the controversial remarks.
Calling the remarks offensive and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Congress leader K. C. Mittal said the party was approaching the Election Commission of India to seek action against Sakshi Maharaj.
The SP as well as the Bahujan Samaj Party also demanded stringent action against the BJP leader notorious for making controversial statements. In January 2015, he had asked Hindu women to produce at least four children each to "protect the religion".
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought a report from Meerut district administration regarding a controversial statement by BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj, who indirectly blamed Muslims for the population boom in the country.
IANS