PATNA: Union minister and BJP firebrand leader Giriraj Singh has once again courted controversy by terming the minority community ‘namak haraams’ (ungrateful) and contended that he does not need their votes to win the election. Addressing a rally in Bihar’s Arwal district, Giriraj recalled his conversation with a Muslim ‘Maulvi’ who admitted to be benefiting from the Centre’s schemes.
“When I asked him whether he had voted for me, he replied in the affirmative but when I asked him to swear on Kudha (God), he refused. Muslims take benefits of all Central schemes but don’t vote for us. Such people are called ‘namak haraam’,” he asserted.
Later, defending his statement in Begusarai, the former minister said, “Islam says that consuming free food is ‘haram’. Are they not taking a 5 kg ration for free? Did both Hindus and Muslims not get Pradhanmantri Awas? Did both Hindus and Muslims not get toilets? Was there any discrimination in Nal-Jal Yojna, Gas cylinder?’ The NDA government works for every section of society, but Muslims refrain from voting for the BJP,” Giriraj added.
The union minister’s remarks ahead of election, however, evoked sharp reactions from Opposition parties. Lashing out at Begusarai MP’s remark, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari alleged that BJP leaders indulging in Hindu- Muslims politics no longer comes as a surprise.
He added they would never talk about unemployment, inflation, migration, better education and medical facilities. “Whenever you talk to them about development, they would start discussing Hindu-Muslim issues and try their level best to diver the attention of people from core issues,” he said.