Patna: A remark made against the Muslim community by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and federal minister Giriraj Singh has triggered revolt within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with at least two of its allies objecting strongly to such comments and asking the Election Commission to take cognisance of them.
Singh who is contesting from Begusarai seat against Left party candidate Kanhaiya Kumar created an uproar in political circles with his remark that the Muslims would have to say “Vande Matram” (English translation: Mother, I bow to thee) if they want to stay here.
“Vande Matram” is a Bengali poem composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870s which he later included in his novel “Anandmath”. The first two verses of the song were adopted as the National Song of India in October 1937 by the Congress Working Committee before the end of colonial rule in August 1947.
“I would like to say Giriraj Singh’s ancestors died and were cremated. You (Muslims) need three yards of land even after you die for burial of your mortal remains. If you say you cannot chant Vande Matram, the nation will never forgive you,” Singh had said, addressing an election rally in Begusarai on Wednesday. Incidentally, he made these remarks in the presence of BJP’s national president Amit Shah who had come to campaign for Singh.
The Janata Dal United (JD-U) headed by chief minister Nitish Kumar has reacted strongly to these comments aimed at hurting the sentiments of a particular community and asked the Election Commission to initiate action against the leader. “The EC should take cognisance of such indecent comments and initiate action against people making such remarks,” JD-U general secretary KC Tyagi told the media on Friday. JD-U is a key constituent of the NDA which returned to the ruling alliance in July 2017.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), another BJP ally headed by federal minister Ram Vilas Paswan, too expressed disgust over such comments. “None is supposed to make such indecent comments. It’s improper to pass such remarks against a particular community,” said LJP parliamentarian Chirag Paswan.
The authorities have registered a case against Singh for making such controversial remarks against the Muslim community. Begusarai district returning officer-cum-district magistrate Rahul Kumar said the case was registered under relevant section of the Representation of People’s Act and the Indian Penal Code after taking suo Motu cognisance of his remarks.
Earlier, the same BJP candidate had caused another flutter by seeking a ban on green flags — often associated with the political and religious bodies associated with Muslims — claiming that gives “me the impression of being in Pakistan”. This comment too invited strong protests from both BJP allies and the main opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) which described it as an insult to the national tricolor. “The colour green is also present in the national flag. Giriraj Singh must explain to the people of country if he wants to remove green from the national flag too,” asked RJD lawmaker Tejashwi Yadav.
Tejashwi said the BJP is raising such issues to divert attention of the common masses from the real issues as the party has failed to fulfil its pre-poll promises about providing 20 million jobs in a year, crediting Rs1.5 million (Dh78,680) in the bank account of every citizen and improving the financial condition of farmers. “Their big claim of bringing ‘achhe din’ (good days) proved an eyewash and hence they are raising such controversial issues to win votes but the masses are more alert this time,” Tejashwi added.